bristol improv theatRe spring programme 2019
shows venue hire courses & workshops
hello friends! Spring has sprung! It’s a special time for us at the BIT: this time two years ago we opened our doors as the first space in the UK dedicated to improvised theatre. Spring is a time when things grow – and true to theme, we have our most packed programme yet, with more shows than any previous season. It’s also a time for new life, which we’re embracing fully with our new alternative scratch night, Utter Rot & Poppycock, and two brand new productions in the Unscripted Players Big April Show.
Most importantly, it’s a time for celebration: come and have a knees up with us as we see in the BIT’s second birthday. There’ll be a free improv masterclass with BIT founder Andy Yeoh and an open-to-all improv jam in the evening, followed by a night of laughter and merriment in the BIT Bar. The evenings are getting longer, which means there’s ever more time to enjoy great improv. See you in the bar!
Caitlin Campbell Artistic Director
our mission The Bristol Improv Theatre’s mission is to be an institution of spontaneous, collaborative and creative theatre, a resource for ambitious artists and audiences, and a home for all those whom improvised work touches.
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IMPROVTHEATRE.CO.UK HELLO@IMPROVTHEATRE.CO.UK 07936617158
Find us AT: 50 st. paul’s road clifton, bs8 1lp
@BITHEATRE BITheatre bristolimprovtheatre
“An amazing independent theatre that showcases the best in improvisation.� - Google Review
friday night is improv night! the bish bosh bash 1st March, 29th March, 3rd May · 8pm · £7 Whose Line meets Shooting Stars meets the competitive spirit of a premier league sports match. Team Bish and Team Bosh go head to head to win glory, honour and the audience’s love in The Bish Bosh Bash, the BIT’s flagship mainstage comedy show. Scenes, songs and silliness are promised in two hours of high-octane entertainment. Who will come out on top? “Five stars!” — Bristol 24/7. Created by Imogen Palmer.
this is your musical 22nd March, 19th April, 17th May · 8pm · £7 This is Your Musical is an original improvised musical theatre show from the Bristol Improv Theatre! Each night, a team of talented actors and musicians produce a brand-new, smash-hit musical inspired by YOUR stories. The neverbefore-seen, never-to-be-seen-again show, where every night is opening night. This all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza with a full band is not to be missed.
For tickets visit improvtheatre.co.uk
spring 2019 the oxford imps 10th May · 8pm · £7 Fresh from sell-out tours of South Africa and North America, the Oxford Imps have reached the final frontier: Bristol. Join them for their trademark short-form show, featuring some of improv’s classic games and some lesser known ones too. Created before your eyes from audience suggestions. “Dynamic and talented” — Oxford Mail “This is the best improvised comedy I have ever had the pleasure to witness” — ThreeWeeks
fairytale ending 26th & 27th April · 8pm · £7 The company behind fringe-favourite Murder, She Didn’t Write bring their new show to the BIT. Everyone’s looking for their happy ending, but exactly how are they supposed to get there? Degrees of Error weave together a tale of fun, fantasy, frolics, and farce in an attempt to reach the Fairytale Ending selected by the audience. “A vigorous, hilarious cast that fully deserve the success they are finding” — Broadway Baby
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special events International Women’s Day 8th March · 8pm · £7 We are celebrating International Women’s Day with a line-up of fantastic female talent. What’s the best advice you were ever given? Join Maria Peters and Rhiannon Vivian as they create stories, characters and entire worlds all inspired by audience wisdom. With support from local acts, new and old.
bristol improv marathon 15th-16th March · 8pm · £15 Closer Each Day Company, in association with the BIT and The Wardrobe Theatre, presents the fifth annual Bristol Improv Marathon! For a staggering 26 hours a team of intrepid performers create an entirely unscripted play using nothing but their skill, imagination and a hefty dose of caffeine. “Sheer stamina and creativity” — Stage Talk
up big april show 5th-6th April · 8pm · £10/£5 UP members Plus 2pm Saturday matinee The BIT’s amateur improv company presents two new productions, created and performed by its members. The Only Way Is Improv: an improvised reality TV show with whirlwind storylines and The Stuff of Dreams: exploring the relationship between dreams and reality.
For tickets visit improvtheatre.co.uk
spring 2019 Steves & Wooster 10th April, 15th May · 8pm · £5 Bertie Wooster may be a rich idiot, but he’s not one to let a lack of competence interfere with his good-natured enthusiasm. Thankfully he can rely on his valet Jeeves to steer him through troubled waters. Expect farcical physicality, quick-change characters and rollicking good fun in this entirely improvised tribute to P.G. Wodehouse.
tales of adventure 11th, 18th & 25th April · 8pm · £7/£15 Join our brave band of heroes in a 3-week epic fantasy quest, improvised LIVE before your very eyes. Led by the all-powerful Gamemaster, our heroes will search for treasure, battle deadly foes, and contend with dangerous twists of fate as they struggle against evil to save the world! £7 per individual show or £15 for a season ticket.
improv triple bill 12th April · 8pm · £7 Helen: fast thinking, emotionally charged Freudian nightmares from an award-winning improvised comedy trio. When It Rains: two improvisers, two rooms, two experiences, one show. Friends Like These: a celebration of platonic love and friendship in its many forms, inspired by audience stories.
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pay what you decide theatre jam 7th March, 4th April, 2nd May · 8pm · PWYD The BIT’s Theatre Jam is your chance to get on stage and have a go at the make-em-ups yourself! All abilities and experience levels are welcome in this friendly, inclusive night. Arrive at 7pm for a group warm up and a chance to meet the other improvisers if you want to perform!
la la bar 27th March · 8pm · PWYD Join us for the BIT’s musical theatre open-mic night, with live piano accompaniment! From performance pros to absolute beginners, this is a welcome-all night where anyone can get on stage to share their favourite songs and stories. For the microphone shy, there are still plenty of chances to join in with barnstorming group numbers.
utter rot & poppycock 28th March, 23rd May · 8pm · PWYD Bristol’s bimonthly scratch cabaret night for eccentric and alternative acts. Hosted by the fervently bodacious Jenna Thompson and the sumptuously sadistic Xenia Randle, Utter Rot & Poppycock provides a supportive testing ground for new work: experimental theatre, improv, comedy, dance, music and more.
For tickets visit improvtheatre.co.uk
spring 2019 theatre throwdown 9th May · 8pm · PWYD Join the BIT’s amateur improv company for a night of fun, japes and furious competition. Two teams of improvisers hand-chosen from the Unscripted Players play a series of improvised games and scenes to contend for the love of the audience. Compered by UP Production Manager John Gallagher.
dynamite 2nd March · 8pm · PWYD Every other Sunday from 17th March University of Bristol’s Improv Society presents student comedy from some of the sharpest minds on the improv comedy circuit. Opening with stand up from up and coming local comedians, fringe veterans Bristol Improv take the second half with a riotous mix of improvised games and scenes.
bit’s second birthday 3rd March · All day · FREE Happy second birthday to the Bristol Improv Theatre! In March 2017 we opened the doors to Bristol’s home of improvised theatre. Come and celebrate two amazing years with us! A free improv masterclass led by BIT founder Andy Yeoh is followed by an evening improv jam and a knees up in the bar. There will also be cake.
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courses & workshops slowing down 9th March · 11am-2pm · £20 The word ‘improv’ can be synonymous with big, loud, and fast. In this workshop you’ll learn to create scenes that explore the full spectrum of the human experience; the truth in comedy and recognition in naturalism. Maria Peters & Rhiannon Vivian have been improvising since 2007 and both perform and teach internationally.
discovering improv 4th March - 8th April · 7-10pm · £99 Forget class clowns and stand-up sweats – at the BIT we don’t care who’s funny. For us, improv is about going with the flow, celebrating the screwup and connecting with amazing new people. This gentle but challenging six week course is the perfect introduction to improvisation.
creating characters 5th March - 16th April · 7-10pm · £7 Want to improvise on stage? Our Performing Improv courses equip you with the fundamentals of spontaneous theatre, in a safe and supportive environment. In this iteration we focus on creating and enjoying characters, stepping into new shoes every week. This 7-week course culminates in a showcase for invited friends and family.
to book visit improvtheatre.co.uk
spring 2019 monday improv drop-in Weekly Mondays · 7:30-9:30pm · £10/£5 Learn new skills, explore, and have fun. Open to everyone, these drop-in workshops are suitable for beginners and up, taught by local and visiting instructors. Each week brings a new workshop to stretch your improv muscles, learn new skills and meet a load of fantastic, friendly people.
improv actors clinic Tuesdays in March · 7-9:30pm · £15/£12 Led by Andy Yeoh, the Improv Actors Clinic is a place for improvisers and actors to develop spontaneous, collaborative and creative performance skills. Focusing on side-coached, performed scenes, the clinic aims to challenge participants, with each drop-in tailored to the students and the skills you want to work on.
women’s improv drop-in 28th Feb, 25th April, 30th May 7:30-9:30pm · £7/£5 This workshop is for all women and non-binary people looking to explore improv. Come along for three hours of fun and exploration, with characters that defy stereotypes and narratives that avoid cliche. Taught by the BIT’s female instructors and based on the excellent work of Christine Brooks.
hello@improvtheatre.co.uk
at a glance DATE SHOW
DATE
SHOW
1 Mar
The Bish Bosh Bash!
11 Apr
Tales of Adventure
3 Mar
The BIT's 2nd Birthday Party
12 Apr
Improv Triple Bill
7 Mar
Theatre Jam
13 Apr
George Lewis: A Man, A Plan, A Girl With Fake Tan
8 Mar
International Women’s Day Special
14 Apr
Paul Mayhew-Archer: Incurable Optimist
15-16 Mar
Bristol Improv Marathon
18 Apr
Tales of Adventure
17 Mar
Dynamite Comedy Night
19 Apr
This Is Your Musical
21 Mar
REDDER
25 Apr
Tales of Adventure
22 Mar
This Is Your Musical
26 Apr
Fairytale Ending
23 Mar
Bristol Revunions Presents: Fist Bump
27 Apr
Fairytale Ending
27 Mar
La La Bar
2 May
Theatre Jam
28 Mar
Utter Rot & Poppycock
3 May
The Bish Bosh Bash!
29 Mar
The Bish Bosh Bash!
9 May
Unscripted Players Theatre Throwdown
31 Mar
Dynamite Comedy Night
10 May
The Oxford Imps
4 Apr
Theatre Jam
15 May
Steves & Wooster
5 Apr
Unscripted Players Big April Show
17 May
This Is Your Musical
6 Apr
Unscripted Players Big April Show
18 May
Lou Sanders: Shame Pig
10 Apr
Steves & Wooster
23 May
Utter Rot & Poppycock
venue hire
photography
The Bristol Improv Theatre is available to hire for events, weddings, shows, classes and workshops. Enquire at venuehire@improvtheatre.co.uk.
With thanks to Lee Pullen, Peter Critchley, James Pepper, Emma Courdeaux, Mike Cook, Caitlin Campbell & Clifton Photographic Company.
50 st. paul’s road, clifton, bs8 1lp TICKETS: IMPROVTHEATRE.CO.UK HELLO@IMPROVTHEATRE.CO.UK PHONE: 07936617158