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. (Filmed shows available via their website)

 

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. (Filmed shows available via their website)

 

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. 

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FREE ASSOCIATION - "The Free Association, or The FA, is an improvised comedy theatre and school, based in London. It is currently among the largest providers of improvisation training in the UK."

Regular shows at their new venue in Southwark, London. https://www.thefreeassociation.co.uk/

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HOOPLA IMPRO -  "Fun & friendly improv classes and shows at London’s 1st improv theatre and biggest improv comedy school! We bring the JOY of improv to everyone!" Regular shows at their London Bridge venue. https://www.hooplaimpro.com/

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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) fictional film about an improv group. Just fun and captures the strangely specific world of improv really well. 

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Yes Also - Podcast about improv. Delving into well known American improvisers techniques, experience and history in the world of improv.  

 

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. 

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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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