BRISTOL IMPROV THEATRE SUMMER PROGRAMME 2019
SHOWS VENUE HIRE COURSES & WORKSHOPS
WELCOME! 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. We are a self-funded, not-for-profit organisation run by theatre-makers, artists and educators with a love for improvised theatre. We like shows that crack you up, take you by surprise and leave you wondering how on earth they did it. Our shows can feel like plays, musicals, game shows or an intimate chat with your best friend – they are all united by the thrill of giving the audience a performance that has never been seen before, and will never be seen again. From our home in leafy Clifton, we make new work, host touring companies from all over the world and teach Bristolians how to make it up on the spot. Our bar serves local beer and blindingly good cocktails, and we all work here because we absolutely love it – so pop in for a show and a drink the next time you’re at the top of the hill.
VENUE HIRE Our 115 seat theatre, atmospheric bar space and spacious workshop rooms are all available for private hire for events, workshops, shows and parties. Enquire at venuehire@improvtheatre.co.uk.
VOLUNTEERING Your theatre needs you! We’re on the lookout for friendly, capable people to join our team of volunteers to help us with box office and flier distribution. Have something else in mind? Tell us about it! Meet lovely new people, build your skills and help us out in the process. Register your interest at community@improvtheatre.co.uk.
IMPROVTHEATRE.CO.UK
@BITHEATRE
FIND US AT:
HELLO@IMPROVTHEATRE.CO.UK
BITHEATRE
50 ST. PAUL’S ROAD
07936617158
BRISTOLIMPROVTHEATRE
CLIFTON, BS8 1LP
SHOWCASE EVENTS THE BISH BOSH BASH 7th June, 5th July, 2nd August · 8pm · £10/£8 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 newest 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 21st June, 19th July, 23rd August · 8pm · £10/£8 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, hilarious, smash-hit musical inspired by YOUR stories. The never-before-seen, never-to-be-seenagain show where every night is opening night. This all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza with a full band is not to be missed.
MURDER, SHE DIDN’T WRITE 28th & 29th June · 8pm · £10/£8 You become Agatha Christie in this improvised comedy as each night an original murder mystery play is created based entirely on audience suggestions. Take up your magnifying glasses and don your deerstalkers for a never-seen-before (and never-to-be-seen-again) evening of murder and mayhem from Edinburgh Fringe veterans Degrees of Error Theatre Company. “Witty and hugely entertaining” – Theatre Bubble
FOR TICKETS, VISIT IMPROVTHEATRE.CO.UK
SUMMER 2019 THE DRAGPROV REVUE 6th July · 8pm · £10 Join us for fantastic line up of visiting and local LGBTQ comedy talent in this special Bristol Pride fundraiser. Featuring the Dragprov Revue: serving you wit as sharp as their contour, jinks as high as their brows, and memories that will stick with you longer than last night’s glitter. The Pink Times
THE WUNDERKAMMER 30th August · 8pm · £10/£8 TED-style talks by leading experts, academics, and all-round big brains inspire long-form improvised comedy scenes, sketches and characters from Do Not Adjust Your Stage. Direct from sell-out shows in the UK, Europe, US, including a residency at the Natural History Museum. As recommended by TimeOut, Metro, Londonist, ToDoList. “Fearless comedy to great effect” – Everything Theatre.
UNCLE ARMANDO 9th August · 8pm · £10/£8 The Same Faces are returning to Bristol with their unique brand of U.S. style long-form (via the Midlands). They’re here to introduce you to their Uncle Armando: a single word taken from the audience produces three different worlds in a matter of minutes. Based in Leicester, The Same Faces have been delivering top quality improv for over six years.
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BEST OF BRISTOL UP BIG JULY SHOW 12th & 13th July · 8pm & 2pm (Saturday) · £10/£5 The BIT’s amateur improv company presents two new productions, created and performed by its members. Origin of Heroes is an improvised story exploring how the powers and relationship between superhero and villain came to be. Director: Chris Lock. Unplanned Planet is an improvised musical nature documentary in the style of Planet Earth. Director: Will Gawned.
TALES OF ADVENTURE 13th June, 27th June, 11th July · 8pm · £7/£15 Join our brave band of heroes in an 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! Anything is possible: laughter is guaranteed. £7 per individual show or £15 for a season ticket.
BRISTOL IMPROV: OFF SCRIPT 14th & 15th June · 8pm · £7/£6/£5 When you watch a show, you only see half the action. Join Bristol Improv for the drama, both onstage and behind the scenes, of a play with no script – all fuelled by your suggestions! Bristol Improv is the University of Bristol’s improvised comedy society. “Attacking the stage with energy and charisma” – EdFringe Review
BOOK NOW AT IMPROVTHEATRE.CO.UK
SUMMER 2019 INTERNATIONAL JOKE OFF 25th July · 8pm · £7 Two of the South West’s finest one-liner comics take each other on to be crowned International Joke Off Winner by the audience. In one corner, there is Alf from Devon, with his sharp one liners combined with zany props. And in the other corner, Richard Lindesay from New Zealand brings observational jokes and flute-based antics.
IMPROV DOUBLE BILL 26th July · 8pm · £7 The BIT presents a double bill of improv talent, sourced from the South West. Megazord – this new Bristol super-group are assembling to show you a slice of life from every possible perspective. Completely Wonderful – Caitlin Campbell (Murder, She Didn’t Write) and Douglas Walker (Racing Minds) deliberately make mistakes (grammatical, socio political, etc.) for your edification and enjoyment.
IMPROV DOUBLE BILL 16th August · 8pm · £7 The BIT presents a second double bill of improv talent, sourced from the South West. IMOGENÉ – the improvised visual album. One improviser. One moment. One chance to change the world through improvised songs, dance, poetry and art. Waiting For Becky – freshly graduated from their tenancy as the Parents Basement House Team, WFB are leading purveyors in American longform-style giggles.
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FUN & GAMES THEATRE JAM 6th June, 4th July, 1st August · 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 improv 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 29th May, 24th July · 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. For the microphone shy, there are still plenty of chances to join in with barnstorming group numbers.
UTTER ROT & POPPYCOCK 18th July · 8pm · PWYD Bristol’s bimonthly absurdist 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 joyful and supportive testing ground for new work: experimental theatre, improv, comedy, dance, music and more.
FIND OUT MORE AT IMPROVTHEATRE.CO.UK
SUMMER 2019 THEATRE THROWDOWN 29th August · 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 John Gallagher.
DYNAMITE Every other Sunday · 8pm · PWYD 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.
GOOD GIRLS AREN’T FUNNY 16th June · 8pm · £8 Join the discussion around women’s development, where the ‘Good Girl’ came from, how she shows up today, and most importantly, how we are going to move beyond her. Holly Mandel has worked for Comedy Central, Walt Disney Studios, and ABC Television and has been directing, teaching, and performing improv for over twenty years. This talk is followed by a Q&A discussion.
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COURSES & WORKSHOPS IMPROV TO STAND-UP 29th-30th June · 10am-5pm · £99 Ever wanted to get into stand-up? You can do it in just two days. Chris has directed, taught and coached stand-up for over ten years. Over two days, you will be guided through finding your persona, creating material and delivering it so it works, ending in a showcase for friends and family.
NARRATIVE SCENEWORK 10th-11th August · 10am-5pm · £99 How do we learn to tell a satisfying shared story on stage through the medium of an improvised narrative show? This intensive will use Keith Johnstone inspired exercises and techniques to hone your ability to sustain an exciting hour-long narrative show, as well as explore a number of tools to inspire and shake up your scenework skills.
HOLLY MANDEL WORKSHOPS 15th & 16th June · 11am · £30 Holly Mandel has taught at UCLA, USC, and at Pace University in New York City, making her a professor of improv. An Introduction to Character-Based Improv is for all performers interested in learning improvisation driven by character, made popular by LA’s Groundlings Theatre. In Advanced Improv, you will delve more deeply into scene work, relying on the ‘who’ of the scene first and foremost.
TO BOOK, VISIT IMPROVTHEATRE.CO.UK
SUMMER 2019 DISCOVERING IMPROV 17th June - 22nd July · 7pm-- 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 screw-up and connecting with amazing new people. This gentle but challenging six week course is the perfect introduction to improvisation.
MONDAY IMPROV DROP-IN Weekly Mondays · 7:30pm-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.
WOMEN’S IMPROV DROP-IN Check online for dates · 7:30pm-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, playing with characters that defy stereotypes and narratives which avoid cliche. These workshops are co-ordinated and taught by the BIT’s female instructors and based on the excellent work of New Zealand-based improviser, producer and director Christine Brooks.
HELLO@IMPROVTHEATRE.CO.UK
AT A GLANCE 6 Jun
Theatre Jam
18 Jul
Utter Rot & Poppycock
7 Jun
The Bish Bosh Bash
19 Jul
This Is Your Musical
13 Jun
Tales of Adventure
24 Jul
La La Bar
14 Jun
Bristol Improv Presents: Off Script
25 Jul
International Joke-Off
15 Jun
BIT Summer Garden Party
26 Jul
Megazord & Completely Wonderful
16 Jun
Good Girls Aren’t Funny
1 Aug
Theatre Jam
21 Jun
This Is Your Musical
2 Aug
The Bish Bosh Bash
27 Jun
Tales of Adventure
9 Aug
The Same Faces Presents: Uncle Armando
28-29 Jun
Murder, She Didn’t Write
10-11 Aug
Improvised Narrative Scenework Intensive
29-30 Jun
Improv to Stand-Up with Chris Head
10-11 Aug
Bristol Science Film Festival
4 Jul
Theatre Jam
16 Aug
Double Bill: IMOGENÉ & Waiting For Becky
5 Jul
The Bish Bosh Bash
21 Aug
Unscripted Players Pitch Party
6 Jul
Bristol Pride Presents: The Dragprov Revue
23 Aug
This Is Your Musical
11 Jul
Tales of Adventure
29 Aug
UP Theatre Throwdown
12-13 Jul
Unscripted Players Big July Show
30 Aug
The Wunderkammer
JOIN THE UNSCRIPTED PLAYERS Join the Bristol Improv Theatre’s amateur theatre company for just £30 per year. Take part in weekly workshops, mainstage productions and regular social events, plus receive discounted rates on shows, drop-ins and drinks. Go to unscriptedplayers.com/join-up to get involved.
PHOTOGRAPHY With thanks to our wonderful volunteer photographers: Lee Pullen, Peter Critchley, John Thompson, James Pepper, Emma Cordeaux, Mike Cook & Caitlin Campbell. 50 ST. PAUL’S ROAD, CLIFTON, BS8 1LP TICKETS: IMPROVTHEATRE.CO.UK HELLO@IMPROVTHEATRE.CO.UK PHONE: 07936617158