When a New York cult favorite sketch group makes its way to the UK, one might expect to witness the emergence of the next big sensation. However, after engaging in a transatlantic video conversation with three members of the four-person ensemble Simple Town, my initial assumptions are quickly dispelled. Sam Lanier, one of the group members, remarks, „We occasionally meet with UK production companies who see us and think: ‘These guys could be a great bridge to the American market.’ But what they don’t realize is that no one messes with us in America. Everyone involved in development within American comedy is already aware of us, and they’ve all declined to work with us.“
Lanier further explains, „We don’t make a living doing Simple Town at all.“ It is essential to recognize that despite the acclaim surrounding shows like Saturday Night Live and the recent Netflix success I Think You Should Leave, sketch comedy does not guarantee financial success in the United States. Simple Town, which made a charming debut at the Edinburgh Fringe last summer, finds itself in a similar predicament as its UK counterparts: juggling day jobs while creating films and live sketches, all while striving to keep their team-comedy show afloat.
Felipe Di Poi expresses their commitment, stating, „We truly believe in it. We believe the work we’ve accomplished together is the best work any of us has done, and it’s far more significant than anything we could have produced individually.“ While they may be denied television opportunities and face obstacles in their professional growth, one thing is certain: the resilience of this talented sketch troupe cannot be underestimated.
Bildquelle: Bildquelle: Jan Dickopp auf Unsplash
