Content

Our classes use original games and formats alongside old favourites. We play a lot. It helps dissolve anxiety and explore group dynamics in a low-stakes way.

Composition

Longer sessions usually have three periods. First we move, breathe and relax together. Then we practise games in pairs or groups, with everyone playing at the same time. Finally, there is space for scenes, stories or other work in front of the group. Taking part is always voluntary.

The balance changes from session to session depending on the people in the room and what seems useful or interesting at the time.

Method

The classes are highly interactive and shaped by the pleasure, energy and attention of the group. We take time to arrive, unwind and warm up properly. We work with space and movement as much as words and music.

Our guiding principles are complicity, pleasure and forgiveness.

Practice

Speaking in front of other people may become easier quite quickly. Moving and singing freely might remain difficult for longer. The same goes for avoiding habits and the tendency to stay with what is known. Listening, adjusting and being available to what is happening can also remain challenging no matter how long you have been improvising.

The work is to keep experimenting, notice what gets in the way, and give yourself permission to fail.

Learning

Each session looks at a particular aspect of improvisation while bringing back things we have already explored.

Some learning happens through repetition. Some happens suddenly. You play, or watch somebody else play, and something becomes obvious that nobody could have explained to you beforehand.

Theory and feedback can help us notice what happened, though most things have to be discovered in the doing.