It is literally making-up comedy sketches from nothing, in front of a live audience. Sometimes it fails but 89%* of the time it's hilarious. Six or so Improvisers take suggestions from the audience or pluck inspiration from the air, to create fasinating characters and platforms. It's like performing a theatrical farce but you have no script. You don't know how it will start or end.
One term, that is flying about, is "throw-away" theatre. Where what is performed on stage can be viewed only once, in that exact moment and often never re-created and so is "thrown-away". That part is true but I don't like the term as it may also suggest that Improv is rubbish which it certainly is NOT.
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| From Comedy Improv |
Improv is the most free act of performing I have ever seen. There is no script or lyrics or rhythm to stick to. It is un-planned and un-rehearsed. You need a quick & open mind, confidence, commitment, imagination, comedy timing and balls-of-steal. Attempting to perform an hour long show, to a paying audience isn't easy but it is immensely rewarding.
When some people think of Comedy Improv they think of "Whose line is it anyway?" and for a quick explanation that may be fine. However that program mainly deals in quick games that provide quick laughs usually surrounding bodily functions or embarrassment. That's OK for that programme but there's a reason it's only 24mins long. For live Comedy Improv you need to create characters and scenes that the audience can believe in and care about so they can join you on your adventure. You can also chuck-in a few of the "games" as you go along...anything is an offer on stage, in Improv.
In the last 12 months I have performed in London and at The Edinburgh Festival and enjoy it far more than when I did stand-up comedy. You can still catch me performing once or twice a month in London. It is a nice little hobby. Something to stretch the mind. I have been lucky/talented enough to have been asked to perform in other troupes and look forward to meeting and playing with new Improvisers. Currently you can catch me with the Spontaneity Shop's "Dance Monkey Dance" troupe and "Improbubble".
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| From Comedy Improv |
Wow, what a time I've had getting-up on stage in front of complete strangers and making-up characters and scenes that have people in tears of laughter. The greatest compliments I've received, regarding my performance, is that people just can't believe we've made it up. They say to us after the show "you must have scripted that, it was too good" but we don't. We don't script anything, we're just great Improvisers.
I like not knowing what is going to happen, before, during and generally after a show. It is an exciting hobby. It is as dangerous mentally, as Cheese-Roll-chasing is physically but with the same hilarious consequences.
Catch me where you can.
HDM
* 89% a statistic plucked from the air, made-up...Improvised.
