‘The Bristol Improv Theatre has taught me to embrace the unknown’

Just before the coronavirus pandemic hit the UK, I found myself at IMOGENÉ: the improvised pop concert.

A pop star diva created by Bristol Improv Theatre’s Imogen Palmer, the show was a turning point, sparking a love for improvised theatre.

Just weeks later the country was put into lockdown, with the Bristol Improv Theatre immediately going virtual.

Using Twitch to stream their shows, the theatre also started teaching improv virtually as well, while the physical theatre in Clifton had to be shut.

During the first lockdown I joined Imogen, artistic director of The Delight Collective and the Bristol Improv Theatre’s theatre school manager, for the women and non-binary people’s improv drop-in.

It’s still the most I’ve smiled all year.

An hour and a half of games, fun and connection with other femme people, the session, which saw people from across both Bristol and the UK attending, was a chance to dip toes into the addictive world of improv.

Improvisation in acting is a way of using heightened communication, with an actor’s ability to engage completely with their fellow performers as well their own character.

The Bristol Improv Theatre hosted some in-person classes this summer. Photo: Wilbee Films

Shows at the Improv Theatre, such as The Bish Bash Bosh and This Is Your Musical, demonstrate using these skills in a highly skilled way, to create immersive and unique performances – something performers at the theatre have continued to do while streaming.

The improv sessions and classes hosted by the theatre are at almost the opposite side of the scale: with skilled teachers, it’s a chance to immerse yourself in a new skill, but instead of being an expertly put together show, the Zoom sessions are a chance to explore new ways of connecting to yourself and others, develop interest in improv and just have a laugh while feeling connected to others.

During the dark nights of second lockdown and tier three, connecting to others through a computer screen has felt like the closest thing to meeting people in real-life.

Words that Burn: Improv & Poetry, held at the beginning of December by Imogen, was a second foray into techniques.

The Words That Burn workshop. Image: Imogen Palmer

As someone who writes for a living, has a budding interest in improv and a deep love for poetry, it was an intriguing session.

From iambic pentameter to rapping, all improvised, it was an excellently balanced culmination of different art forms.

After two sessions via Zoom, it only seems fair to end on a hat trick before the end of 2020.

Zoom Games For All! will take place on Monday, December 14, using improv, storytelling and performance skills to the joy of playing games.

Improv is a wonderful tool, I have learnt this year. Although human connection may be few and far between, and it can feel too tiring to learn a new skill, the Bristol Improv Theatre has taught me to come out of my shell and embrace the unknown – and there has been no better year to learn.

Lowie Trevena. Photo: Nicky Ebbage

More Zoom Games for All! will take place on December 20 and 21and Musical Improv: Festival Singing for All! takes place on December 29. Find out more at www.improvtheatre.co.uk/online.

Lowie Trevena is Production Editor, Lifestyle Editor and LGBTQ+ Editor at Bristol24/7.

Main photo: Wilbee Films

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