Blog
by Steve Roe,
co-founder of Hoopla Impro. Beginners Improv Course, Performance Improv Course, Narrative Long-Form Course and Stand-Up Comedy Courses starting in September. Improv Comedy Club every Tuesday at The Miller in London Bridge. Twitter: @HooplaImpro. Facebook: HooplaImpro.
Website: www.HooplaImpro.com.
It's that exciting time of year when the Edinburgh Fringe programme thumps onto the doorstep. I've been working through the night like a massive comedy geek highlighting shows I want to watch. I'm mainly geared towards improv, but I've thrown in some stand-up, sketch and kids shows this year too.
This is based on the first sweep of the programme. I'll be adding some more hot cookies later once I find them, and feel free to contact me with suggestions for shows to add.
If you want more details on each show please click the link on each show to go through to the Ed Fringe website, which is main website for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Hoopla's Hot Picks
These are shows that are new to Edinburgh that I think could potentially be a breakthrough hit because they are likely to be good. Previous Hoopla Hot Picks included Austentatious, Luisa Omielan's What Would Beyonce Do, Lady Cariad's Characters, Humphrey Ker and Josh Widdicombe, who were indeed all breakthrough hits that year. These don't include already well known shows, they have to be relatively new.
The Play That Goes Wrong
Mischief Theatre
For years this group were The Scat Pack, performing improvised comedy and one of my favourite improv groups (also see Lights! Cameras! Improvise!). Now they've taken on scripted comedy and this is their first major production. Boy oh boy the buzz about this is incredible. It started out at a small theatre in London and has already transferred to the West End before its even got to Edinburgh. The reviews are already amazing, with The Times and more raving about it. The performers in The Mischief are some of the most charismatic, funny and talented people I've ever seen on stage.I'd buy tickets for this now if I was you.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/play-that-goes-wrong
Joseph Morpurgo - Truthmouth
This has recently been promoted to our hot picks section as five separate people in London have told me it's the best show they've ever seen following his previews. Loads of buzz building up about this. Joseph
is also in Austentatious, which is an amazing show, and he's awesome in that too. First 1 hour solo show. Blatantly going for the Ed Fringe Best
Newcomer Award. Go Joe!
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/joseph-morpurgo-truthmouth
The Takeaway Story Show
The You & Me Theatre Company
A cool idea for a kids show where the actors improvise a story based on children's suggestions and props, and the kids then get to download a personalised storybook of the show they help make up. A neat idea and new way to use improv, and there is always a need for quality new kids shows. Directed by Matt Andrews who has done lots of improv at Edinburgh before and I think knows the audience really well. Should be a fun one, and I think worth watching even if you haven't got kids.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/childrens-shows/takeaway-story-show
Also there are two (or more) improvised Shakespeare shows this year. See both, they both look awesome.
The School of Night's Spontaneous Shakespeare
This one features Dylan Emery, Adam Meggido, Sean McCann and more from the Showstoppers and Ken Campbell school of improvisers I wish I could improvise like. In fact next time I go on stage I'm going to pretend I'm one of these guys.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/theatre/school-of-night-s-spontaneous-shakespeare
Impromptu Shakespeare
The new kid on the Shakespeare block directed by Jules Munns who has been doing awesome things in London with The Nursery Theatre and The Slapdash Festival of Improvisation, and whose improvised Shakespeare workshops recently ignited a massive interest in Shakespeare with huge impro spirit. I expect it to be fun and gutsy.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/theatre/impromptu-shakespeare
Random One Offs Not to Miss
Doctor Brown: Bexperiments
Ooohhhh this looks exciting. Clown Doctor Brown performs eight shows back to back over one day, each show taking the best of the previous until he creates the final complete show at the end. I'm sure people will be camped out for the entire duration, me included.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/doctor-brown-bexperiments
The Wrestling II
One year at Edinburgh I had a day off from watching shows, walked up a mountain, and found I had missed The Wrestling. For the whole of the next day every single conversation seemed to revolve around The Wrestling.
"Dude we've run out of tea bags."
"Did you watch The Wrestling?"
"No. I had a day off."
"Maaannnn, you should have watched The Wrestling."
"I climbed a mountain."
"You missed out."
"I climbed a .."
"The Wrestling."
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/wrestling-ii
Improv
Aaaand Now For Something Completely Improvised
Racing Minds
For
a couple of years I was put off this show by the alphabetical whore
title, and then I realised it had Tom Skelton in it who is possibly one
of my favourite improvisers to watch ever, and then I realised that it
also had loads of great reviews. And then I kicked myself for judging a
book by its title and not seeing it sooner. I'm going to watch this
show for sure.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/aaaand-now-for-something-completely-improvised
Abandoman: Moonrock Boombox
Improvised
hip hop from Rob Broderick and band, really good fun. I used to want to
be Rob Broderick when I grew up, and then I realised that he was
younger than me, and then I cried into my kebab.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/abandoman-moonrock-boombox
Absolute Improv!
To Be Continued...
Improv group that are actually from Edinburgh, support some local talent!
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/absolute-improv
Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel
Milk Monitors
This
is such an awesome show. Improv crowds love it because it's great
improv. Comedy crowds love it because it's really really funny. Jane
Austen crowds love it because it's Janeaustenlike. Everybody loves it. I
can't believe it's free again, people will be queuing around the block so get there early. Earlier than that.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/austentatious-an-improvised-jane-austen-novel
Baby Wants Candy: The Completely Improvised Full Bank Musical!
If you don't think improv is a massive thing then go and watch this and then change your mind.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/baby-wants-candy-the-completely-improvised-full-band-musical
BattleActs! Improvised Comedy - Free
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/battleacts-improvised-comedy-free
Blind Mirth Improv Comedy
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/blind-mirth-improv-comedy
Bristol Improv Presents...
The
Bristol Improv scene has been growing even quicker than the London
improv scene this year, well done them, and there are some awesome shows
like this one coming out of it.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/bristol-improv-presents-pbh-s-free-fringe
Cariad & Paul: A Two-Player Adventure
Cariad & Paul perform some of the finest improv shows I've ever seen.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/cariad-paul-a-two-player-adventure
Improvabunga - Some Sort of Improv Show
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/improvabunga-some-sort-of-improv-show
The Improverts
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/improverts
An Improvised Improv Show - Free Show
Well done Luc Valvona for putting this together. If you're an improviser and in Edinburgh go along to this and you can perform and get to network with other improvisers and have a big old jam.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/improvised-improv-show-free-show
Lights! Camera! Improvise!
Mischief Theatre
One of my favourite improv shows, I love this group. An improvised movie that is hilariously funny and tells a great story. They also made one of our Hot Picks - The Play That Goes Wrong.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/lights-camera-improvise
The Maydays: Confessions
The Maydays are the first improv show I ever saw live, and first people who taught me improv, and the reason I fell in love with improv in the first place. Great show, and amazing what an audience will confess.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/maydays-confessions
Men with Coconuts
Improv FX
News just in! I'm guesting in this one! Fun Scottish improv show with sound effects.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/men-with-coconuts
The Noise Next Door: Soundhouse
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/noise-next-door-soundhouse
The Oxford Imps
Imps alumni populate the elite of improv and comedy around the Universe, this is the show that starts them off.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/oxford-imps
Paul Merton's Impro Chums
Guess what? Paul Merton grew up in the same area as me. So I'll be the next Paul Merton! So went my logic when I started out in improv. I blame Wikipedia for these illogical life choices.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/paul-merton-s-impro-chums
Quest For Comedy!
ShellShock!
Improv from the Durham University team that has spawned some of our favourite improvisers over the years, many of them end up in London after graduation and they are awesome so looking forward to this.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/quest-for-comedy
Sanderson Jones and Pippa Evans - Wonder & Joy
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/sanderson-jones-and-pippa-evans-wonder-joy
The Shambles
Did a show with some of these a couple of years ago and they were loads of fun. That's more of a personal anecdote than a review, but this is a blog not The Guardian dammit.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/shambles
Bespoke Comedy for the Discerning Family
Foghorn Improv
An
improv show for all the family, sounds good to me and there is a big
market for family friendly shows in Edinburgh so it should do well.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/bespoke-comedy-for-the-discerning-family
Shhhh - An Improvised Silent Movie
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/shhhh-an-improvised-silent-movie
The Showstoppers' Improvised Musical
Massive hit every year, and rightly so. Musicals made up on the spot that are better than musicals that aren't made up on the spot.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/showstoppers-improvised-musical
This Is Soap: The Improvised Soap Opera
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/this-is-soap-the-improvised-soap-opera
Upstairs Downton
Improvised period costume drama that has been building up well on the London improv scene all year and ready to launch itself on Edinburgh.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/upstairs-downton
The Wireless Podcast - Free
Racing Minds
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/wireless-podcast-free
Sketch, Scripted Comedy
The Beta Males in ... Superopolis
Their
show is becoming a must see every Edinburgh, it's really exciting to
see what they come up with, always fresh and exciting. Like starting a
school year with a new pencil case and a nice pencil sharpener.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/beta-males-in-superopolis
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/theatre/faulty-towers-the-dining-experience
The Durham Revue: Friends Without Benefits
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/durham-revue-friends-without-benefits
Four Screws Loose in Screwtopia!
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/four-screws-loose-in-screwtopia
Henson's Alternative Puppet Up!
The adults only wing of the Jim Henson puppet company.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/henson-alternative-s-puppet-up-uncensored
In Cahoots
Features Paul G Raymond and Luke Manning who are also in one of my favourite impro groups Shoot from the Hip.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/in-cahoots
Joy of Sketch
Good way to see lots of top sketch acts in one night in one place.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/joy-of-sketch
Knightmare Live
Cult kids TV show Knightmare brought to life on stage.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/knightmare-live
Max and Ivan: The Reunion
Like The Beta Males also a real Edinburgh must-see and different every year.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/max-and-ivan-the-reunion
The Play That Goes Wrong
Mischief Theatre
For
years this group were The Scat Pack, performing improvised comedy and
one of my favourite improv groups (also see Lights! Cameras!
Improvise!). Now they've taken on scripted comedy and this is their
first major production. Boy oh boy the buzz about this is incredible. It
started out at a small theatre in London and has already transferred to
the West End before its even got to Edinburgh. The reviews are already
amazing, with The Times and more raving about it. The performers in The
Mischief are some of the most charismatic, funny and talented people
I've ever seen on stage.I'd buy tickets for this now if I was you.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/play-that-goes-wrong
Shit-faced Shakespeare
Group attempts to put on a Shakespeare play. Different member of the group gets blind drunk every night.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/shit-faced-shakespeare
The St Andrews Revue
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/st-andrews-revue
Thundebards
I saw one of them in the improv group Do Not Adjust Stage and thought I'd like to see him in whatever he was in. I didn't fancy him, he was just really good at the old improv and acting and comedy. So I've got a good feeling about this one. Edinburgh needs some new sketch groups too since Pappy's, Delete the Banjax and Penny Dreafuls aren't around so this should do well.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/thuenderbards
Who Ya Gonna Call?
A bunch of my favourite improvisers in a tribute to Ghostbusters, sounds amazing. I can't believe I haven't seen it yet, really looking forward to watching in Edinburgh.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/who-ya-gonna-call
Stand Up, Clown, Solo
AAA Stand-Up
Bound & Gagged Comedy
Like
Spank, another good option for checking out some good quality stand up
with three top acts on one bill, different three acts each year. This
year with Luke Graves, Max Dickins and Joe Davies.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/aaa-stand-up
Adam Buxton: Kernel Panic
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/adam-buxton-kernel-panic
Alexei Sayle
That's
exciting, Alexei Sayle doing stand up again. When I was a kid I wanted
to be an astronaut, Steven Spielberg or a 1980s alternative comedian.
Alexei Sayle actually was one of those things, so I'm going to see him.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/alexei-sayle
Beardyman: One Album Per Hour
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/beardyman-one-album-per-hour
The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
I
love this show, I loved the way it made me, my Mum, my Dad and my
girlfriend all laugh out loud at the same time at the same thing. How
sweet.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/boy-with-tape-on-his-face-more-tape
Dear Ray
Max Dickins
Good
to see an established stand-up doing something different and ambitious,
branching away from his club
routines to do characters, touching story and his first 1 hour show.
I've met Max in improvland and he's awesome funny, especially at
characters. Go Max!
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/dear-ray
Doctor Brown: Bexperiments
Ooohhhh
this looks exciting. Clown Doctor Brown performs eight shows back to
back over one day, each show taking the best of the previous until he
creates the final complete show at the end. I'm sure people will be
camped out for the entire duration, me included.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/doctor-brown-bexperiment
Employees of the Month: Glenn Moore and Friends
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/employees-of-the-month-glenn-moore-and-friends
Greg Proops
I like to pretend that I personally know
the entire cast of Whose Line Is It Anyway and hang out with them all
the time. I don't, so this will be as close as I can get.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/greg-proops
The Horne Section Live in a Cow
When
I was last at Edinburgh people wouldn't stop talking about The Horne
Section. "Have you seen The Horne Section yet? You have to see The Horne
Section. We're going to The Horne Section tonight. Meet you at The
Horne Section. Blah blah blah blah blah." So much so that I decided I
would never go and see The Horne Section, just because. I'm sticking to
this pointless stand, but you should go, because other people say you
should.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/horne-section-live-in-a-cow
Gamarjobat (ga-ma-jo-bat) Rock Out!
Very funny physical comedy.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/gamarjobat-ga-ma-jo-bat-rock-out
Jerry Sadowitz: Card Tricks and Close Up Magic
Very offensive, very funny, and very magic.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/jerry-sadowitz-card-tricks-and-close-up-magic
A Lol-along-a Luc Valvona - Free Show
Late
night comedy songs from a friendly bearded man you'd like to take to
the West Country and drink cider with until the morning.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/lol-along-a-luc-valvona-free-show
Luisa Omielan: What Would Beyonce Do?!
One of our hot picks from last year that went on to have multiple sell out runs at The Soho Theatre and a nationwide tour.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/luisa-omielan-what-would-beyonce-do
Pun Run
Pun-based comedy club. I should really come up with a pun in this description but it's now 2:47 and I have toothache.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/pun-run
Rachel Parris: The Commission
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/rachel-parris-the-commission
Ross vs Violich - Pistols at 3:55pm
Coming out of the successful improv show Fat Kitten James Ross and Steve Violich are now taking on stand-up. I've got a good feeling about this. I haven't seen it yet, but I've got a good feeling about it. James Ross knows his Edinburgh, and Steve Vioich is one of those chaps who is good at everything but you still love him. I think James Ross will make it big in stand-up or governments will topple.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/ross-vs-violich-pistols-at-3-55pm
Spank
Good
place to go to when you're not sure what you want to watch, as you get
to see loads of good acts for not much dosh. Proper walls sweating beer
in plastic cups what the fuck am I doing here late night Edinburgh
experience.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/spank
Theatre
Making News
New play from The Spontaneity Shop's Tom Salinsky. I've heard good things about the rehearsed readings in the build up.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/theatre/making-news
Kids
Bespoke Comedy for the Discerning Family
Foghorn Improv
An improv show for all the family, sounds good to me and there is a big market for family friendly shows in Edinburgh so it should do well.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/bespoke-comedy-for-the-discerning-family
The Takeaway Story Show
The You & Me Theatre Company
A
cool idea for a kids show where the actors improvise a story based on
children's suggestions and props, and the kids then get to download a
personalised storybook of the show they helped make up. A neat idea and
new way to use improv, and there is always a need for quality new kids
shows. Directed by Matt Andrews who has done lots of improv at Edinburgh
before and I think knows the audience really well. Should be a fun one,
and I think worth watching even if you haven't got kids.
https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/childrens-shows/takeaway-story-show
I'll be adding to this list as I look at the programme in more detail. Feel free to contact me with recommendations.
Blog
by Steve Roe,
co-founder of Hoopla Impro. Beginners Improv Course, Performance Improv Course, Narrative Long-Form Course and Stand-Up Comedy Courses starting in September. Improv Comedy Club every Tuesday at The Miller in London Bridge. Twitter: @HooplaImpro. Facebook: HooplaImpro.
Website: www.HooplaImpro.com.
Improv comedy courses, classes, shows and club in London and around the UK. www.HooplaImpro.com.
Thursday, 30 May 2013
Friday, 24 May 2013
New Character Exercise: Clichéd Characters Instant Depth
Blog by Steve Roe,
co-founder of Hoopla Impro. Character Improv Class Saturday 6th July. Beginners Improv Course, Performance Improv Course and Narrative Long-Form Courses starting in September. Twitter: @HooplaImpro. Facebook: HooplaImpro.
Website: www.HooplaImpro.com.
This is a new exercise we've invented to add instant depth to otherwise 2-dimensional and clichéd characters.
I actually love using clichés in improv. I think using a clichéd or stock character can give you instant character posture, movement, attitude, voice, face, gait, genre, point of view, attitude, philosophy, accent and more. They are also very good at getting beginners to go bigger, open up, and extend the range of possible characters that they can improvise. They also knock people into a more playful spirit that stops improvisers thinking or worrying too much.
The criticism against clichéd or stock characters is that they are 2-dimensional with no depth, but I don't think it has to be like this.
The cliché or stock character is just the initial inspiration for physicality, from which never ending depths of character, emotion, behaviour and objectives can be layered on top.
And the greatest tool to give instant depth to otherwise clichéd and 2D characters? You! That's right, whatever stock or cliché character you are doing, there's still a massive 'YOU' underneath it and that opens a never ending world of inspiration.
In the book Truth in Comedy they refer to wearing your character as a straw boater, meaning it sits lightly on top of you but the main thing is that there is a big honest you underneath.
Honest. When we're honest in improvisation we have never ending inspiration of background to the character, and never ending possibilities in how we respond to each offer. Too much fear and honesty breaks down, as we think too hard in measuring our response for the best offer rather than just responding straight away.
Here are some exercises to practice so you can see what I mean:
Exercise 1: Solo Character
"Mwa ha ha ha ha ha, the night is out and I have risen, mwa ha ha ha ha"
Which after a couple of seconds ramped into this:
"Mwa ha ha ha ha ha you see the thing is actually, that I got engaged the other day but the thing is I'm not allowed to actually tell anyone yet because my parents aren't back from holiday, but I just have to tell someone because otherwise its stuck in my head and that just doesn't feel right."
This was honest about me there and then, and it added a new angle and a vulnerability to Dracula. And also a lot of story and scene potential - Dracula's engagement and relationship with his middle class parents hasn't been done before I don't think.
You're not just playing a dracula/hunchback/goblin, you're playing your dracula/hunchback/goblin and what makes that one special is putting you into it.
This exercise also lead to goblins talking about their relationship history, a hunchback complaining about dentistry fees after a cap had fallen off his tooth, and an Old Lady pondering whether she should do an Open University Physics degree or not because she was "not sure if life is about avoiding madness and regret, or accepting that you're going to have madness and regrets and living with them anyway". All of them were very fun to watch, and very exhilarating for the group to play.
Exercise 2: Pairs
This also has the benefit of getting people to be honest with their responses, and honest with their initiations.
Sometimes 'improv freeze' happens when people feel like they have to make everything up. But actually you just have to be yourself in the present moment. The character will release a different side of yourself you might not know about or try to hide away usually, but it's still you.
You're not making stuff up, you're responding to the situation - just like real life.
Blog by Steve Roe, co-founder of Hoopla Impro. Character Improv Class Saturday 6th July. Mask & Commedia Class Sunday 7th July. Beginners Improv Course, Performance Improv Course and Narrative Long-Form Courses starting in September. Twitter: @HooplaImpro. Facebook: HooplaImpro. Website: www.HooplaImpro.com.
This is a new exercise we've invented to add instant depth to otherwise 2-dimensional and clichéd characters.
I actually love using clichés in improv. I think using a clichéd or stock character can give you instant character posture, movement, attitude, voice, face, gait, genre, point of view, attitude, philosophy, accent and more. They are also very good at getting beginners to go bigger, open up, and extend the range of possible characters that they can improvise. They also knock people into a more playful spirit that stops improvisers thinking or worrying too much.
The criticism against clichéd or stock characters is that they are 2-dimensional with no depth, but I don't think it has to be like this.
The cliché or stock character is just the initial inspiration for physicality, from which never ending depths of character, emotion, behaviour and objectives can be layered on top.
And the greatest tool to give instant depth to otherwise clichéd and 2D characters? You! That's right, whatever stock or cliché character you are doing, there's still a massive 'YOU' underneath it and that opens a never ending world of inspiration.
In the book Truth in Comedy they refer to wearing your character as a straw boater, meaning it sits lightly on top of you but the main thing is that there is a big honest you underneath.
Honest. When we're honest in improvisation we have never ending inspiration of background to the character, and never ending possibilities in how we respond to each offer. Too much fear and honesty breaks down, as we think too hard in measuring our response for the best offer rather than just responding straight away.
Here are some exercises to practice so you can see what I mean:
Exercise 1: Solo Character
- Everyone in a supportive circle.
- One person at a time is given a clichéd stock character to perform. For example goblin, hunch back, vampire, old lady, witch etc.
- On count of 3 they commit fully to delivering the cliché of that character. This gives them a sudden change of voice, physicality, attitude etc, and the emotion change inspires a direction in improviser for the next step.
- After a couple of seconds they then say something incredibly honest about their actual real life and view of the world, whatever comes there and then, but keeping all the previous physicality and behaviour. Don't fake, actually be honest and let you the thing you're blocking and think you can't tell anyone.
"Mwa ha ha ha ha ha, the night is out and I have risen, mwa ha ha ha ha"
Which after a couple of seconds ramped into this:
"Mwa ha ha ha ha ha you see the thing is actually, that I got engaged the other day but the thing is I'm not allowed to actually tell anyone yet because my parents aren't back from holiday, but I just have to tell someone because otherwise its stuck in my head and that just doesn't feel right."
This was honest about me there and then, and it added a new angle and a vulnerability to Dracula. And also a lot of story and scene potential - Dracula's engagement and relationship with his middle class parents hasn't been done before I don't think.
You're not just playing a dracula/hunchback/goblin, you're playing your dracula/hunchback/goblin and what makes that one special is putting you into it.
This exercise also lead to goblins talking about their relationship history, a hunchback complaining about dentistry fees after a cap had fallen off his tooth, and an Old Lady pondering whether she should do an Open University Physics degree or not because she was "not sure if life is about avoiding madness and regret, or accepting that you're going to have madness and regrets and living with them anyway". All of them were very fun to watch, and very exhilarating for the group to play.
Exercise 2: Pairs
- Get two actors up at a time.
- Two actors are on the back wall.
- Give them the cliched stock character to perform. For example goblin, hunch back, vampire, old lady, witch, pirate etc.
- Count 1,2,3 and then they launch themselves with full commitment into that cliched character, throw caution to the wind.
- After a couple of seconds and a shout from the director they keep all that energy and behaviour but then talk about something honestly and real from their own lives. They also respond honestly and real with their own point of view.
This also has the benefit of getting people to be honest with their responses, and honest with their initiations.
Sometimes 'improv freeze' happens when people feel like they have to make everything up. But actually you just have to be yourself in the present moment. The character will release a different side of yourself you might not know about or try to hide away usually, but it's still you.
You're not making stuff up, you're responding to the situation - just like real life.
Blog by Steve Roe, co-founder of Hoopla Impro. Character Improv Class Saturday 6th July. Mask & Commedia Class Sunday 7th July. Beginners Improv Course, Performance Improv Course and Narrative Long-Form Courses starting in September. Twitter: @HooplaImpro. Facebook: HooplaImpro. Website: www.HooplaImpro.com.
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Reasons why I loved last night's Impro Jam so much
Loads of reasons why I loved last night's Impro Jam at The Miller, here are the first things that come to mind:
Lots of love,
Hoopla
www.HooplaImpro.com
- Constantine being asked to run a warm up there and then, not skipping a beat, running one even when it rapily grew into 30 people or more, getting everyone in the right mood. Thanks buddy!
- Svarvar working out a tower of electrics to get the music working. Spinal Tap award for turning it up to 11.
- The new Miller stage being awesome. Was a bit worried we’d loose some of the atmosphere with the refurb, but actually the venue has got even more atmosphere than ever and also looks super professional. Having a proper big stage, and decent lights (with colours!), sound proofing and better seating is amazing for impro.
- Iain holding back through a whole game because his character wasn’t needed, even though he knew there wouldn’t be much stage time that night. Then immediately appearing in the next game and rocking it, including memory of all Apollo Moon Landing astronauts. Very giving, we salute you!
- Looking at Barbara on the floor while being dead and laughing while Sarah repeatedly said the word goblin. She must have said it about 100 times, funny every time.
- Funniest and simplest ever Game of the Scene for Shem and Pete. Pete gets told to 'get out of my bar' in a Western, says 'OK' in an upbeat way and leaves. Queue a series of scenes of Pete being asked to leave places.
- James Kindberg relentlessly getting a McDonalds reference into every scene.
- The return of old skool party quirks and storyteller die, alongside a flurry of new stuff including amazing new game launched - Charactergasm.
- Tonnes of awesome scenes and a huge range of different characters being played.
- At least 5 people doing their first ever impro show and rocking it. At least 10 more doing their second ever impro show and rocking it.
- People who don’t know each other jumping on stage with enthusiam and busting out awesome scenes together from I don’t know where.
- Amazing spirit on stage - carefree playfulness, bravery, commitment, support.
- New groups being formed in the bar afterwards.
- People coming to support their friends on stage.
- People who hadn’t seen impro before, and didn't know what it was, walking away at the end of the night saying “I love impro”.
Lots of love,
Hoopla
www.HooplaImpro.com
Monday, 13 May 2013
Impro is Real Life Backwards
Blog by Steve Roe,
co-founder of Hoopla Impro. Hoopla run improv courses, classes and shows in London and across the UK. Twitter: @HooplaImpro. Facebook: HooplaImpro.
Website: www.HooplaImpro.com.
In terms of emotional reactions and responses improv can be looked at as real life in reverse.
Real Life
An example of someone accidentally encountering a sleeping wolf (happens to me all the time).
Improv is the other way round. In improv you do an action, have a response, that makes you feel something, that presents you an idea, you see it, you share that idea, that is now the new reality.
For instance in improv:
Attempting to do improv by thinking and processing is coming at it the wrong direction. Much better, easier, and more fun to come to it from the emotional, behavioural, physical, especially at the start of a scene.
When you have nothing just do anything, and see what happens from there. Let the movement and emotions direct the mind.
It doesn’t make sense at the start. So do something that doesn’t make sense, then let yourself make sense of it.
Blog by Steve Roe, co-founder of Hoopla Impro. Hoopla run improv courses, classes and shows in London and across the UK. Twitter: @HooplaImpro. Facebook: HooplaImpro. Website: www.HooplaImpro.com.
In terms of emotional reactions and responses improv can be looked at as real life in reverse.
Real Life
An example of someone accidentally encountering a sleeping wolf (happens to me all the time).
- There is an external reality, a sleeping wolf.
- I see the reality.
- I process the reality.
- I have a feeling about the reality; fear.
- I have a physical/emotional response; I gasp and my heart rate goes up.
- I display that response; I look scared, my eyes widen, my mouth open.
- I have an action; I tip toe carefully away.
Improv is the other way round. In improv you do an action, have a response, that makes you feel something, that presents you an idea, you see it, you share that idea, that is now the new reality.
For instance in improv:
- I’m jumping up and down.
- I’m laughing.
- I feel exhilarated and happy.
- I think/process it’s my brithday.
- I 'see' the other person is holding a birthday cake.
- I say “oh wow a birthday cake”.
- When they accept that then that is the new reality, it is my birthday and I have a cake.
Attempting to do improv by thinking and processing is coming at it the wrong direction. Much better, easier, and more fun to come to it from the emotional, behavioural, physical, especially at the start of a scene.
When you have nothing just do anything, and see what happens from there. Let the movement and emotions direct the mind.
It doesn’t make sense at the start. So do something that doesn’t make sense, then let yourself make sense of it.
Blog by Steve Roe, co-founder of Hoopla Impro. Hoopla run improv courses, classes and shows in London and across the UK. Twitter: @HooplaImpro. Facebook: HooplaImpro. Website: www.HooplaImpro.com.
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
Improv Tips
Blog by Steve Roe,
co-founder of Hoopla Impro. Hoopla run improv courses, classes and shows in London and across the UK. Twitter: @HooplaImpro. Facebook: HooplaImpro.
Website: www.HooplaImpro.com.
This is a collection of all our improv tips from our twitter account (@HooplaImpro)
put together into one place:
- Catch yourself overly planning off stage? Shake yo head like an etch-a-sketch to come on fresh.
- If you treat the scenario as if it is real you don't have to act, you just have to live.
- Play, let yourself go, go for it.
- U could b anywhere so set scene somewhere you'd like 2 b. Why so many post office scenes when it could be blue skies on Mars?
- For long-form narrative characters with desires/objectives are fun. Have a protagonist that pursues something meaningful.
- Having a drink with a beginners improv class is a very fun thing to do.
- "So just the fact that we're alive at all I find fascinating, and I guess that's a good place to start in drama" -random pissed bloke in pub
- "It is easy to forget, that until the past few centuries , story was always an intensely communal activity." - The Storytelling Anima
- Whatever the other person gives you, correct! Whatever they give you, treat it like it's awesome, cos it is.
- Listening should be active not passive, react to and use the other person's stuff.
- You can play physical and emotional versions of the Yes And exercise, not just verbal.
- Stay open to the audience and other actor when getting it wrong, in fact especially when getting it wrong.
- improv decisions about teaching/style/content/technique made while separate from the actual audience are a total waste of time.
- Alternative names for game o scene - patterns, repeating behaviour, fun thing, what's funny about that?, what's it about, theme
- First unusual thing, first mistake or first laugh can signal the game of the scene. React to it, repeat it, escalate it, play.
- Don't just pick up on what was said, pick up on how it was said. What was the emotional offer?
- Enter the stage as if you've just come from somewhere else.
- If feeling nervous about a show give yourself rule that you aren't allowed to be funny for the first 8 lines of every scene.
- React to 'mistakes' with Celebrate, Incorporate, Justify, Expand, Celebrate.
- Improvising in the state of 'avoiding criticism' is no fun so f**k that.
- When people say it takes 10 years to become an overnight success they don't mean wait 10 years then do something, act now.
- If "raising the stakes" doesn't make sense to you try "making it more important" or "make it matter" instead.
- If your game has got no oomph then play it like a child would play it and be carefree.
- Because is a good word in improvised storyelling. Because that scene happens, this scene happens.
- Be Honest.
- Improv is going to be big in UK, really big. No, bigger than what you just thought.
- Say how you actually feel and you'll find the character feels the same way. It's the scene making you feel that.
- Sometimes there's lots of technique to improv, but Yes Let's seems to be the spirit of improv.
- Explore environment as metaphor for relationship. That's what screenwriters & novellists do afterall. Dark & stormy night.
- Make the other person's offers, and the scene, more important not less so.
- If the character says "don't tell the queen I'd loose my job" the improviser means "tell the queen".
- Game of scene concept seeming too intellectual? Ask what's fun about the scene instead. Fun is fun not thought.
- Establishing platform of character, relationship, where can come from play listening discovery instead of isolated thinking
- You don't have to wait until audience give you a genre to play one, give yourself own suggestion and play genres for fun.
- Staying in the bar for four hours after an improv workshop won't teach you much about improv but it certainly can be fun.
- Voice mirroring, saying the same words at the same time in your head, can help you stay focussed and ready when off stage.
- When doing object work go slower and bigger than you think you have to.
- If you believe the scene you're in is real you don't have to act you just have to live.
- From the excellent Mark Beltzman: "Replace thinking with listening".
- Giving yourself the job of 'use one of the words the other person just said' is more active than just listening.
- Make your first response to mistakes "yes and" rather than "hide" and they turn from mistakes to genius.
- Say something honest from your own life or experience of the world and your character will have instant depth.
- Lines starting "I feel" "You make me feel" "You're being" "You're always" "I am" "You are" help build relationships.
- You can bring in behaviour, emotion, physicality, character, tempo, connection before you even get audience suggestion.
- Reactions & emotions bring impro to life and make it both human & funny. React to each line, gasp, laugh, react.
- When someone enters your scene react and adjust your status immediately, no matter what you were doing.
Blog by Steve Roe, co-founder of Hoopla Impro. Hoopla run improv courses, classes and shows in London and across the UK. Twitter: @HooplaImpro. Facebook: HooplaImpro. Website: www.HooplaImpro.com.
This is a collection of all our improv tips from our twitter account (@HooplaImpro)
put together into one place:
- Catch yourself overly planning off stage? Shake yo head like an etch-a-sketch to come on fresh.
- If you treat the scenario as if it is real you don't have to act, you just have to live.
- Play, let yourself go, go for it.
- U could b anywhere so set scene somewhere you'd like 2 b. Why so many post office scenes when it could be blue skies on Mars?
- For long-form narrative characters with desires/objectives are fun. Have a protagonist that pursues something meaningful.
- Having a drink with a beginners improv class is a very fun thing to do.
- "So just the fact that we're alive at all I find fascinating, and I guess that's a good place to start in drama" -random pissed bloke in pub
- "It is easy to forget, that until the past few centuries , story was always an intensely communal activity." - The Storytelling Anima
- Whatever the other person gives you, correct! Whatever they give you, treat it like it's awesome, cos it is.
- Listening should be active not passive, react to and use the other person's stuff.
- You can play physical and emotional versions of the Yes And exercise, not just verbal.
- Stay open to the audience and other actor when getting it wrong, in fact especially when getting it wrong.
- improv decisions about teaching/style/content/technique made while separate from the actual audience are a total waste of time.
- Alternative names for game o scene - patterns, repeating behaviour, fun thing, what's funny about that?, what's it about, theme
- First unusual thing, first mistake or first laugh can signal the game of the scene. React to it, repeat it, escalate it, play.
- Don't just pick up on what was said, pick up on how it was said. What was the emotional offer?
- Enter the stage as if you've just come from somewhere else.
- If feeling nervous about a show give yourself rule that you aren't allowed to be funny for the first 8 lines of every scene.
- React to 'mistakes' with Celebrate, Incorporate, Justify, Expand, Celebrate.
- Improvising in the state of 'avoiding criticism' is no fun so f**k that.
- When people say it takes 10 years to become an overnight success they don't mean wait 10 years then do something, act now.
- If "raising the stakes" doesn't make sense to you try "making it more important" or "make it matter" instead.
- If your game has got no oomph then play it like a child would play it and be carefree.
- Because is a good word in improvised storyelling. Because that scene happens, this scene happens.
- Be Honest.
- Improv is going to be big in UK, really big. No, bigger than what you just thought.
- Say how you actually feel and you'll find the character feels the same way. It's the scene making you feel that.
- Sometimes there's lots of technique to improv, but Yes Let's seems to be the spirit of improv.
- Explore environment as metaphor for relationship. That's what screenwriters & novellists do afterall. Dark & stormy night.
- Make the other person's offers, and the scene, more important not less so.
- If the character says "don't tell the queen I'd loose my job" the improviser means "tell the queen".
- Game of scene concept seeming too intellectual? Ask what's fun about the scene instead. Fun is fun not thought.
- Establishing platform of character, relationship, where can come from play listening discovery instead of isolated thinking
- You don't have to wait until audience give you a genre to play one, give yourself own suggestion and play genres for fun.
- Staying in the bar for four hours after an improv workshop won't teach you much about improv but it certainly can be fun.
- Voice mirroring, saying the same words at the same time in your head, can help you stay focussed and ready when off stage.
- When doing object work go slower and bigger than you think you have to.
- If you believe the scene you're in is real you don't have to act you just have to live.
- From the excellent Mark Beltzman: "Replace thinking with listening".
- Giving yourself the job of 'use one of the words the other person just said' is more active than just listening.
- Make your first response to mistakes "yes and" rather than "hide" and they turn from mistakes to genius.
- Say something honest from your own life or experience of the world and your character will have instant depth.
- Lines starting "I feel" "You make me feel" "You're being" "You're always" "I am" "You are" help build relationships.
- You can bring in behaviour, emotion, physicality, character, tempo, connection before you even get audience suggestion.
- Reactions & emotions bring impro to life and make it both human & funny. React to each line, gasp, laugh, react.
- When someone enters your scene react and adjust your status immediately, no matter what you were doing.
Blog by Steve Roe, co-founder of Hoopla Impro. Hoopla run improv courses, classes and shows in London and across the UK. Twitter: @HooplaImpro. Facebook: HooplaImpro. Website: www.HooplaImpro.com.