Comedy / bristol improv theatre
Interview: Hurt & Anderson
Bristol-raised sketch comedy duo Hurt & Anderson, a.k.a. Georgia Hurt and Laura Anderson, unveil their new show Sketchbombs at the Bristol Improv Theatre on Saturday, July 11, as part of What the Frock!’s series of Edinburgh previews at the venue.
So, give us the Hurt & Anderson potted bio.
Georgia: Laura and I were at school together. It took a few years for us to become friends, mainly because Laura thought I was a thug, but then we started making each other laugh and distracting each other and that turned into sketch writing. So really I think it started as a way to procrastinate rather than doing homework or revision!
Laura: We started to take it seriously in 2011 when we took our first show to the Fringe. We had a 1am slot. Things got messy quickly.
Who or what inspires your sketch comedy?
Georgia: I think to start with it was definitely French and Saunders: no one will ever come close to them in my eyes. But we are also big Josie Long fans, and I love people like Tim Minchin, Amy Schumer and Tina Fey. I think most of the writing process and ideas just come from our friendship and always trying to make each other laugh.
Some of our stuff is observational but a lot of it comes from ridiculous conversations we have. For example, Laura once shouted “WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY WOMB!?” which, of course, found its way into a sketch.
Georgia: I think to start with it was definitely French and Saunders: no one will ever come close to them in my eyes. But we are also big Josie Long fans, and I love people like Tim Minchin, Amy Schumer and Tina Fey. I think most of the writing process and ideas just come from our friendship and always trying to make each other laugh.
Some of our stuff is observational but a lot of it comes from ridiculous conversations we have. For example, Laura once shouted “WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY WOMB!?” which, of course, found its way into a sketch.
Laura: Mitchell and Webb are also a big influence on me. And I don’t know if it’s to do with being ’90s kids, but we have written a lot of sketches that are Disney related. There’s something great about taking something that seems so innocent and then warping it.
Sketch comedy is flourishing at the moment. Do you feel part of something larger, or are you just doing what you do?
Georgia: It definitely feels like there has been a big surge in the number of sketch acts. It’s great for us because it continually gives us people to watch and learn from – and to compete against! I think at the moment we are just doing what we do, but hopefully we’ll go on to play a slightly bigger part in it.
Laura: Female double acts certainly seem to be more prevalent, which is great because of the myth that used to exist that ‘women aren’t funny’. The competitive side of me makes sure we try and write the funniest thing we can because we’ve got so much competition!
What needs to be present in a successful sketch?
Georgia: Sketchbombs is much snappier than our usual fare, with faster sketches. I think people’s attention spans are shorter these days, so you have to present them with a quick premise. I think you can allow characters and scenes to develop, as long as you grab the audience’s attention with something at the start.
We intersperse our sketches with songs which varies the show a bit, and audiences seem to relax and settle into songs more easily for some reason, which is why we always try and open with one. Also I get to hide behind the guitar, and make Laura sing the first lines.
We intersperse our sketches with songs which varies the show a bit, and audiences seem to relax and settle into songs more easily for some reason, which is why we always try and open with one. Also I get to hide behind the guitar, and make Laura sing the first lines.
Laura: Thanks for that. I think physical and verbal comedy are just as important as one another. It depends on the comedian and their skills. Delivery is very important. But I think the concept of the sketch is the most important thing. If the premise is funny, you’re on to a winner.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?
Georgia: I’ve always quite fancied being a mounted policewoman, just to get to ride around on a horse in London and wear a fancy uniform.
Georgia: I’ve always quite fancied being a mounted policewoman, just to get to ride around on a horse in London and wear a fancy uniform.
Laura: Writer. Or chocolate taster.
Hurt & Anderson play the Bristol Improv Theatre on Saturday, July 11, in a double bill with Sooz Kempner. For more info and to book tickets, visit www.whatthefrockcomedy.co.uk/events/july-11-edinburgh-preview
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