Want MORE Improv?! Great! Here are some shows and books etc I recommend: 

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LIVE SHOWS: 

If you fancy watching some live improv in action (the best way to see it) here are some shows I recommend below: 

 

Austentatious - Improvised Jane Austin. Narrative improv at it’s best. They play regularly in the West End have some incredible performers.

 

Showstopper! - Improvised musical. They won an Olivier Award for an improvised musical, that’s how good they are! Again they play in the West End and tour. 

 

CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation - Yes I might be slightly bias here….this is the show I’m in! We do narrative improv with a focus on creating an experience for the audience, where they have huge input in the show. They even choose the murderer! We tour regularly, current dates: www.crimesceneimpro.com 

 

Shoot From the Hip - they are considered to be kings of short form/game improv at the moment and have a massive online following

 

Comedy Store Players - Short form games, great cast 

 

TJ and Dave - They come over from the US once a year and usually play at Soho Theatre, keep your eyes peeled they are phenomenal. Probably the best narrative improv there is. 

 

The RH Experience - Usually find them at Hoopla Impro in London Bridge, I’ve seen them for years and they are just consistently funny. They do short form games and long form scenes. 

 

TV/FILM/PODCAST: 

 

Middleditch and Schwartz on Netflix - joyful funny longform narrative, best I’ve seen it work on screen. 3 episodes, all well worth a watch. 

 

Don’t Think Twice - Film (Amazon Prime I think?!) fictional film about an improv group. Just fun and captures the strangely specific world of improv really well. 

 

Say More with Dr? Sheila (podcast) - Amy Poehler plays a therapist for this short improvised series, very funny, easy to listen to and great improv. If you like that, following on in the same ‘series’ - ‘The Chris Chatman do-over’ and ‘Women Talkin’ ‘Bout Murder’. They’re all produced by Amy Poehler and are great fun. I believe the structure was scripted but the dialogue is improvised. 

 

Showstopper! - The improvised musical has an on demand section on their website where you can rent two previous shows. Not as good as live but still a great watch. (I think I preferred ‘Tent!’ of the two) 

BOOKS: 

 

Yes Please - Amy Poehler. Autobiography, loads about improv 

Improv Your Life - Pippa Evans. About applying the principals of improv to your everyday life 

UCB Comedy Manual - Used to cost a fortune to get it shipped from America but looks like you can get it here now. It’s a great practical guide to learning technique filled with exercises. 

Truth in Comedy and Art By Committee - by Charna Halpern and Del Close. 
Del Close is considered the creator of long form improv and these were the books he wrote about it, so very good for a bit of history and lots of tips and technique. 

 

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