'The perfect antidote to all that we are normally encouraged to do; a beautiful retrieval of our most human selves.' - Lucy Smart, Therapist
An intimate retreat for improvisation facilitators to live, cook, and practise together while deepening the art of guiding others into discovery.
Fri 20 to Thu 26 Feb, at Le Moulin de Canole, 24540 Capdrot, France (google map) (what3words).
Price: £495
We have five spaces for this retreat. If you’d like to join, please fill in this questionnaire by 30 November 2025 the latest. If selected, you’ll be asked to confirm your application with a £200 non-refundable deposit to secure your space. The remaining balance is payable upon arrival.
If you are free on all the course's dates but can't afford to pay the listed price because it would genuinely deprive you of the indispensable, please contact us at affordability@imprology.com and include:
- The course references: G201461 Saturday 2 to 5 pm.
- The amount of money you can afford to pay for this course;
- Any non-monetary way(s) you are offering to contribute.
We will answer all queries.
If you have more than you need, please consider donating. All the money received this way will improve access to our courses. On average, at least two people access our classes by special arrangement on each given cycle.
All online bookings are processed by PayPal. We never see or store your banking details.
If you've paid in full, you can cancel or reschedule by emailing us at least 30 days before your course starts. Include your name, contact details, and course reference. We'll either refund you (minus PayPal's fee, around 3%) or transfer the full amount to another course of your choice. After this deadline, or if you don’t show up, we can’t offer any refund or rescheduling. Deposits are non-refundable.
If we have to cancel a class or course due to unforeseen circumstances, you’ll get the choice of a full refund or an alternative class. We can't offer refunds or alternatives for disruptions caused by Acts of God.
This intimate retreat (5 people max) welcomes those already teaching embodied improvisation, or preparing to step into it. Together, we’ll strengthen our capacity to hold the space for others to dive into all forms of improvisation.
Working with new and existing material, testing ideas, and exploring the freedom and duties of a facilitator, we will deepen an embodied understanding of optimum unpreparedness.
Optimum unpreparedness is the state of being ready without being preset. It means stepping into a learning space with all the skills, awareness, and experience we have, while leaving aside rigid plans and fixed outcomes.
It is a balance: too little preparation, and you risk running out of offers; too much, and you might force the group into a corner or shut down discovery. Optimum unpreparedness is having enough agency to hold the space, while staying open to what arises in yourself, the group, and the room, moment by moment.
For a facilitator, this often means arriving with a set of games, frames, and principles, and letting the actual shape of the workshop be co-created with the participants. It is a discipline of trust — trust in your own resources, trust in the group, and trust in improvisation itself to provide what is needed.
During this week, we will live together on a countryside estate by a medieval village, cook together (delicious French winter food), and research and practice, in groups or individually, on possible themes such as:
The retreat will be hosted by Rémy Bertrand, an improvisation teacher with 20 years of full-time experience, who has been developing his own approach outside all institutions.
Remy Bertrand is part of a select group of improvisation facilitators with over 10,000 hours of teaching experience. Based in London, UK, Remy has been teaching and training people in improvisation internationally since 2006 through Imprology, as well as in drama schools, universities, charities, and other institutions. He has directed several large-scale improvised performances with Zootrophic, a multi-disciplinary ensemble, and has co-directed improvised short films with Peter Snowdon. Remy also hosts (Love Explosion), an improvised open-stage show.
His recent training includes work with John Wright (Impro, Clown), Kate Hilder and Sten Rudstrom (Action Theatre), Mary Overlie (Six Viewpoints), Lee Simpson (Open Space, Impro), Lucy Hopkins (Clown), and Punchdrunk (Immersive Theatre).
Remy believes his greatest teachers have been his students. He approaches improvisation as a transformational process, emphasising pleasure, curiosity, and courage. Many of his students have gone on to become professional performers, directors, and educators, while others have applied improvisation skills in fields such as psychotherapy, corporate training, and community engagement. Alumni of his workshops have created their own theatre companies, toured internationally, and developed innovative projects that blend improvisation with film, music, and social activism.
'Attending this workshop was truly transformative. It ignited a fire within me to break through the barriers that have been hindering my growth and embrace a more authentic version of myself. Remy's unwavering encouragement, genuine honesty, and profound insights created a nurturing and empowering space where I could fully embrace my true self. Beyond just an improv workshop, it was a journey towards conquering our fears and limitations, and unlocking our fullest potential.' Sarah Kent artist,critic, performer
'I'm a full time stand up comedian these days and your course helped me massively.' Jonny Awsum, Comedian
'I felt really supported and safe even though I was really scared on my first lesson.' Zita Konyari, Hospitality Executive
'Social anxiety was my main concern. Your course helped me much beyond my expectations.' Xavier P, Risk Management
'A great mix of silliness and discovery, whatever your aims. There are skills here for daily life and on stage.' Niall Hill, VR Producer at BBC
'The most liberating fun I have had in years!' Emma Callow, Creative Lab Manager
'I have had so many zoom-meetings this year and none of them have been as much fun as this zoom event! Great to know the zoom functions can be used and played with in such an amazing, interactive and fun way! Thank you!' Theresa Rhino, Online Participant
'Always lots of laughter, questions, baffling metaphors, surprising, deep listening, connection, acceptance, movement, failing and getting back up again. All the best things!' Sophie Tidman, Senior Advisor
'An incredible, touching, and fun experience. I cannot recommend this highly enough. Joshua Brostoff, Clinical Study Director
'I have frequented Imprology courses for several years. There are always new discoveries to be made and fresh games in which to engage.' Paul Barber, Mathematician
'A very unique and positive experience. Challenging, fun, interesting and ultimately transformative.' Ben Weatherill, Mental Health Workwer
'Through Imprology I have experienced myself and others in ways that are both fun and developmental. I find the classes extremely thought-provoking and above all entertaining.' Ned Brown, Health Executive
'Every class is different and I believe this is testament to the teacher being someone who is constantly curious - always learning and exploring. I've found his classes powerfully healing as well as playful and life-affirming. They incorporate many skills which have been so useful to my own development as a therapist: anxiety regulation, presence, authenticity, vulnerability as strength, opening into the unconscious. The perfect antidote to all that we are normally encouraged to do; a beautiful retrieval of our most human selves.' Lucy Smart, Therapist
'Imprology has helped me immensely to enjoy myself more, connect with others, and stay focused.' Lucas Szczesiak, Software Engineer and Stand-Up Comedian
'A great way to relax, learn to listen and free yourself. The teaching is really inspiring, and it's really good fun!' Benjamin Kerridge, Vicar
'A space to play, reflect, challenge yourself, be present and have fun. I could not recommend enough.' Michelle Borda, Consultant in Children's Creativity
'I had a great deal of fun and felt I learnt a lot in such a short time. I felt challenged and nourished.' Hannah Nicholas, Actor
'I found out more about myself in one day than I did with one term of my interpersonal communications course.' Rachel Melinek, Student
'The facilitator strikes a perfect balance between pushing his students out of their comfort zone and making sure everyone is thoroughly enjoying themselves. The results are transformative.' Valerie Peake, Life Coach/Musician
'Learning about improvisation was like taking the handbrake off my life.' Simon Bell, Training Consultant
'Encouraged you to step out of your comfort zone in a way which was stretching but not scary.' Sarah Woodthorpe, Accountant
'The facilitator was clearly very experienced and truly excellent.' Ruth Whaling, Psychologist
'Brilliantly delivered, suitable for all levels, built in many layers of skills, and was huge fun!' Emma Smallman, Groupworker
'Highly recommended.' Jonathan Chappell, GP
'Great facilitation, great atmosphere, you'll learn a great deal about yourself, and have a laugh a minute.' Jemma Gray, Executive Assistant
'I had a great time laughing with a fantastic bunch of fun creative people every week.' Frankie Hardy, Nurse
'The Quality of teaching is extraordinary!' Benni Lehne, PhD student
'I thoroughly enjoyed myself and learnt skills which have greatly impacted upon my life.' Eve Macdonald, Youth Development
'Thanks again for such a fabulous weekend.' Deborah Rothenberg, Drama & Movement Therapist
'Amazing, wise, enlightening, excellent actor training and just great fun! Geraldine Curtis, Actor
'You were a joy to learn with.' Ola Aralepo, Comedian
'Magnificent course, I'm so glad I took it.' Jenny Glanville, Hypnotherapist
'Many classes I come in after work feeling a little drained and every night I leave feeling excited and refreshed.' Andrew Dowe, Consultant
'It really gives you a confidence boost and it is great fun!' Andlib Mohsin, Criminal Lawyer
'The knowledge and flexibility gained have proven especially useful to me in auditioning.' Liis Mikk, Actor
