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Making his entrance to one of the greatest rock songs of all-time, we are thrilled to introduce you to our new CEO: Tom Mansfield. Fresh through the door, we caught up with him to find out his go-to motivational track, favourite place to grab a coffee in Bristol and, of course, his vision for our theatre…
What excites you about Bristol Improv Theatre?
‘The thing that really struck me when I first got involved with the BIT is just how much people love it. While I’ve been getting to know the team and the community here, almost everyone I’ve spoken to has a story about how improv in general and the BIT in particular has changed how they experience the world. I love the way that the BIT sees improv as something anyone can just have a go at – and that doing it can change your life. The main stage programme is fab, but the really powerful thing about the BIT is the opportunities we give people to discover new things about themselves through our Theatre School and Workplace Improv programmes. I’m really excited to find ways to share what we do with even more people in Bristol and beyond.’
Tell us a bit about your background in the arts…
‘I did a drama degree at Birmingham Uni aeons ago, and straight away went off and started Upstart Theatre, which has grown over the years to become one of the UK’s leading interactive theatre companies. Alongside that I’ve worked as a workshop facilitator and youth theatre leader for the National Theatre, Birmingham Rep, the Shakespeare Schools Foundation, taught at a bunch of universities and worked as General Manager at the arts and homelessness charity Streetwise Opera.’
Why is Improv such a powerful art form and what makes it unique?
‘Theatre is all about being in the moment and improv is the most in-the-moment you can get! There’s a thrill in seeing something being created for the very first time right in front of you that you can’t get anywhere else.’
Why do you think Improv is experiencing a surge in popularity at the moment?
‘We live in an entertainment world now in which you can experience content from anywhere, at any time. And that’s amazing but it can feel overwhelming and impersonal. If you go to an improv show or class, you’re getting a new experience that’s made for you and with you, right here and now.’
Tell us something we’d find surprising about Bristol Improv Theatre…
‘My current favourite thing is if you nip behind the bar (please don’t do this unless you work here) there are some emblems from back when the building was the Polish Ex-Servicemen’s Club. It’s a really nice tribute to our history. Also there’s a rumour that The Bish Bosh Bash is named after someone called Bish who used to run the Polish Club back in the day…’
We know you’re just through the door, but what can you tell us about your aspirations for the role and your vision for the Theatre?
‘I feel like the BIT is this wonderful secret thing that’s been hidden away from the world for a long time. When I first moved to Bristol three years ago I lived in Clifton and walked past the building a bunch of times without really knowing what it was or how I could get involved. So my big aspiration for the BIT is to throw our doors open, stick a metaphorical beacon on the roof and make us the most welcoming place in Bristol for anyone who wants to play.’
‘A big part of that is opening out what we do. The BIT is one of the most important spaces for improv in the country, and that’s always going to be at our heart, but I want to open us up to things that sit alongside and next to the world of improv. I was so excited to see the Drag Dungeoneers joining the programme alongside our brilliant existing improv shows, and coming from a game and interactive-theatre background I’m keen to explore the possibilities for that sort of thing here too.
At its heart improv is about openness and play – I want us to be the place in Bristol where people can come together as a community and play.’
What would be your entrance or theme song?
‘Ohhh this is hard. On my top-secret motivational music playlist the track that gets punched the most is probably Baba O’Reilly by The Who. Give me some high-energy maximum R&B with bonus jig.’
Where’s your favourite coffee spot in Bristol and what’s your order?
‘Taste of Napoli on Park Street. They do the best macchiato around.’
Ready to play? Click here to find out what’s coming up at Bristol Improv Theatre.
