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What is a Pump Trolley? In most cases, it is a rail car powered by passengers pushing it from behind. In this case, it is a comedy troupe from Vancouver powered by the wit of its 12 members and other featured guests.

Pump Trolley have been performing their unique mix of sketch comedy, stand up and improv every Thursday night at Cottage Bistro since early July. Their collective is made up of UBC students, grads and other theatre talents found lurking the city, most of whom are or have been involved with UBC Improv. Pump Trolley also features recruited members from Studio 58 and Edmonton’s well-known Rapid Fire Theatre.

“We’ve got like four former [UBC Improv] presidents in Pump Trolley,” member Nick Harvey-Cheetham laughs.

Pump Trolley was formed in the summer by what Harvey-Cheetham calls “a group of like-minded creative people” from UBC Improv who wanted to keep their shows going into the summer and outside of campus. They have been producing original shows with a fast pace and playful mix of forms and media.

“The only rule is that it’s at least aiming to be funny,” says Jessica Byron, member and UBC alumna.

Some of the forms—namely sketch comedy—are new to the troupe, but this has served as a challenge more than a setback. They are also proud to say that, to date, they have never repeated a sketch, giving audiences well more than their three dollars worth.

“We try to do a new show, and we do do a new show every week‚“ Harvey-Cheetham affirms.

Pump Trolley gets a large part of their inspiration from long form improv, creating a new theme each week. “The cohesion of one central idea really helped improve the quality of the show,” says Harvey-Cheetham.

Byron believes that the group has been successful in putting in consistent shows and getting recognition in the city. “When you first Googled ‘pump trolley’ we were like third under all these pictures of actual pump trolleys, and now we’re actually first on the Google list.”

Pump Trolley shoots for a tight show. “We feel that we can take on an attitude that is very professional and still have it be very funny,” says Harvey-Cheetham.

Byron adds, “We don’t just want to make you laugh, we want to make you think as well‚“ reminding viewers, “This is theater!”

Overall, the response towards Pump Trolley has been positive and they have been able to feature other players from the city.

“The beauty of comedy in the city is that all the audiences support each other….It’s kind of a great community to be a part of,” admits Byron.

This year, in addition to performing at the Vancouver International Improv Festival, Pump Trolley members traveled to Edmonton to perform. Members are also performing with groups such as Bronx Cheer, Hip.Bang, and Rosa Parks Improv.

In giving advice to other groups, Nick warned that Pump Trolley “will crush all competition.” But he also tells future improvers out there to “just do it… if you have a group of people together just start rehearsing and try to get shows.”

Pump Trolley performs every Thursday Night at Cottage Bistro on Main and 28th at 7pm, $3 admission.

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