After being blown away by their first ever show, HerCampus decided to interview the masterminds behind Exeter’s first comedy society ‘The Exeter Revue’, Edd Cornforth and Oli Gilford. Both huge fans of comedy, they founded the society this year and have already established themselves as Exeter’s next big comedy duo with the roaring success of their sell-out show ‘ The Autumn Revue’.
Names: Edd Cornforth and Oli Gilford
Year: Oli is in 2nd Year and Edd is in 3rd Year
Subject: Edd studies Sociology and Oli studies Psychology
Congratulations on your first show! Could you tell us a bit more about The Exeter Revue and your reasons behind setting it up?
OG: The Exeter Revue is the University of Exeter’s prestigious comedy society. We perform revue shows consisting of live sketches, comedy songs and stand-up.
EC: We are Exeter’s answer to Cambridge Footlights. A lot of people are aware of Cambridge Footlights because of the history behind it and the talent it has produced. We’ve always had ideas, but there has never been a format to put these ideas out there, and along with some very funny students in Exeter, we thought it would be great to showcase this humour.
Any major comedic influences?
OG: All the big comedy writing partnerships really; Mitchell and Webb, Armstrong and Miller, Fry and Laurie who all started in Cambridge Footlights.
EC: And of course, Steve Coogan and Armando Iannucci.
What do you get up to when you aren’t writing, directing or performing?
OG: We watch comedy! Other than that we like sports, going to the pub and having a jar of lager. If it isn’t served in a jar we normally leave.
EC: Even though we’re massive campus celebrities we actually live normal lives. We do things that normal people do like attending champagne receptions at The White House, having dinner at Tom Cruise’s house and going into space.
What’s the future for The Exeter Revue? Any big plans?
EC: The future’s looking bright.
OG: We obviously have The Christmas Revue on December 7th in the M&D room, as well as more events in second term such as improv. nights, stand-up shows and panel show formats. However, the biggest thing for us is taking a show to The Edinburgh Fringe comedy festival next summer.
What can we expect from the ‘Christmas Revue’ show? Why should people come to watch it?
OG: How long have you got?
EC: As Exeposé have said ‘it’s literally a laugh a minute’ and ‘a master class in musical comedy’
OG: And that’s an independent newspaper saying that! They also said ‘it was surprise after surprise!’ You can expect lots of Christmas themed sketches and songs, because it’s Christmas soon. I think it’s on the 25th this year.
So how can anyone who is interested in joining get involved?
EC: Unlike most societies, we offer the opportunity for you to join throughout the year. As a new society, we recognise that some people are yet to know about us, so over the year you are able to join the society and start contributing to the next show, whether it be writing, directing, producing or performing. You can join on the Guild website and from there you will join our mailing list to get all important news and dates.
OG: Like our Facebook page for all the updates. We think the Internet is actually going to be a big deal one day so get involved.
To end, what is your favourite gag?
OG: One of my terrible one-liners I guess e.g. I once asked out a fighter pilot. She shot me down.
Thank you to Oli and Edd for taking the time to speak to HerCampus! We are very excited for the Christmas Revue Show on December 7th!
To keep up to date with The Exeter Revue please visit their Facebook page:
And to join the show-stopping society, go to the Guild website: