British Improv Games (Spontaneous Youth)

Spontaneous Theatre Company / Spontaneous Youth presents

British Improv Games

National and City Improv Comedy Tournament

About the game

The British Improv Games (BIG) is an improv comedy tournament for 7 to 18-year olds. There are two leagues: national and city-wide. The events, or ‘Games’, each test the young improvisers in a variety of ways. Their improv skills will need to be attuned to the needs of the whole spectacle of the competition and their production that the team creates live for the audience.

A Game entails two sets of improv, where each team gets 25 minutes to perform. The three judges mark the performance on the completion of the set criteria for the round being played.

For the national leagues, there is the annual ‘finals’ tournament that is held in a different hosting city each year. This is normally held in July. Each participating city can enter one team into the nationals.

There are 5 difference categories that the teams will each be challenged on:

• Creating a complete production
• Exploration of relationships
• Adopting a playful attitude
• Being an ensemble
• Using their comedic voice

Each team will play against all other teams in their league. The leagues are constructed of 5 teams and the teams consist of 5 to 8 players.

In order to participate in the Games, everybody must have membership to the tournament. A coach from Spontaneous Theatre company must have spent at least 12 hours assisting any team entering a league. It is possible to purchase membership or get given it via Spontaneous Youth classes. Memberships includes administration fee; team hoodies; a coach (excluding their expenses for the sessions); and a production guide. 

Currently the production website is under construction: http://spontheatreco.wix.com/BritishImprovGames (temporary site for information)

Youth Improv Comedy (Bristol, UK)

It has been a long discussion, which is still ongoing, about the best way to bring improv comedy to the youth of today. That could well be you. Due to the nature of our work, any idea is welcomed. We can deliver our sessions in schools, youth centres, and obviously directly to young people via a community workshop setting. Over the time passed and in our past, we have enabled many young people to get to grips with improvisation. There is plenty more to be done, and specifically in Bristol.

Now is the opportunity to discover spontaneity, communication, inter-personal skills. Find your funny together, as we develop the comedic minds of you, the young people involved, and create magic from nothing.

"[The] improv workshop made for an inspiring and refreshing change from the school routine. It was brilliant for building up students' confidence and willingness to take risks, not to mention being great fun." (Dr. Thomas, Head of English, 2014, Bath)

"Playing on freedom and destruction was very beneficial." (Anonymous, 2015, France [Teen Impro Festival])

"Improv has helped me throughout school by helping me use my imagination. Especially in English, it has helped me to start writing in more creative ways and now becoming more complex." (Luke, 2011, Cardiff)

"It was really good, can we do it again?" (Daniel, 2014, Bath)

"Nathan was really funny." (Charlotte, 2014, Bath)

"It was a fun and inspirational activity." (Zac, 2014, Bath)

"I wouldn't hesitate to do it again." (Bryan, 2014, Bath)

"How fantastic to give our students this opportunity to try something completely new and to watch even the shy students throw themselves into the activities with great gusto and enthusiasm. As an improv enthusiast myself, I can well imagine the effect more improv workshops would have on our students in terms of building up creative and personal confidence and learning to collaborate with others." (Ms. Martin, School Librarian, 2014, Bath)

We advocate improvisation for everyone. Whether the interest is in comedy, acting or something highly unrelated, these will bring people together to offer useful skills in all areas of life. The group will explore spontaneity and how you can apply these skills to create comedy on the spot. Our discoveries will search how we use fun to enhance performance. It could be said to be obvious that this would be engaging to see and definitely energizing for the performers. Playfulness gets people to play well together: collaboration is a ever-growing need in society. Therefore, we cover basic elements of improvisation such as listening, agreement and adding, commitment and support and various others. Improv comedy is an open art form, we seek freedom and honesty in our comedy!

Book onto the three day improv comedy intensive for young people. 27th - 29th July, 10 AM - 5 PM, Bristol. 

BACs payment only. (currently)

Email spontheatre[at]gmail.com

Jeffrey Sweet in London: Improvisation for Script-building Masterclass

If you are not currently booked onto the course, then do so quickly. Jeffrey Sweet is to lead his masterclass on 'Improvisation for Script-building' in London, UK, on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th July, 11am - 5pm.

The scripts for more and more plays, films and TV shows are being developed out of improvisation (Curb Your Enthusiasm and Mike Leighs films are vivid examples). Jeffrey Sweet is coming to run an intense workshop on how to get started. Book today: http://jeffreysweet.bpt.me 

Here is a interview with Jeff from years ago: http://www.nytheatre-wire.com/gf09022t.htm

Photo from Zimbio

Hippocrite Trailer (Bath Spa Live / Bath Fringe)

Hippocrite

Spontaneous Theatre Company presents its devised production Hippocrite, a folly about a two-headed hippopotamus and the discoveries it makes.

Tickets at: www.bathspalive.com

Vine: Hippo Impressions in Paris, France - Hippocrite (Bath Spa Live / Bath Fringe) #6

The BEST hippo impressions roll in from France. Here is a vine of the next one.

The best hippo impression is either coming or we have it, maybe you have a great hippo in you!? Feel free to email us your photos or videos, or post them with the tags #hippocrite #bathfringe.

#vine
https://vine.co/v/iEFU0qFK31l

Tickets at: www.bathspalive.com

Instagram: Hippo Impressions in Paris, France - Hippocrite (Bath Spa Live / Bath Fringe) #6

BEST Hippo Impressions!

Latest parisiens playing... Here is one of them on our instagram.

You can play too. Post and tag them as #hippocrite #bathfringe or email them to us: spontheatreco at gmail.com

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFuQHa7D4Tw/
#insatgram

Tickets: www.bathspalive.com

Vine: Hippo Impressions in Paris, France - Hippocrite (Bath Spa Live / Bath Fringe) #5

Parisiens in France are playing our Best hippo impressions game, so we have some great versions. The link to the latest one is below.

Maybe you have a great hippo in you too!? Feel free to email us your photos or videos, or post them with the tags #hippocrite #bathfringe.

#vine

https://vine.co/v/iEF2PvYpDhM

Tickets at: www.bathspalive.com