Every Wednesday from Apr 17 to May 22, 6 to 10 pm, at Diorama Arts Centre, 201 Drummond Street, London NW1 3FE (map) . 14 participants max.
Fee for 7 sessions: £210 (deposit £105). Concession: £198 (deposit £99).
Book now with a 50% deposit and pay the rest on your first day. We can garantee you a space on this Course if you book online. Terms and Conditions apply.
Online booking transactions are executed by Paypal and we do not access or store your banking details.
If you don't enjoy your first class with us, contact us within 24 hours to get a full and unconditional refund. We also offer a partial refund if you book a cycle of classes, enjoy the first one but feel it's not for you. In which case, contact us within 24 hours, and we will only charge you for a taster, refunding the rest of your booking fee.
Please give us notice at least 30 days before the start of your course, by email, stating your name, contact details and your course's reference. We will refund cancellations in full to the account initially charged, or transfer the booking onto another course of your choosing, at no extra cost. If you give us notice between 30 and 15 days before the start of your course, we will apply a £15 cancellations or rescheduling fee. No refund or rescheduling will be considered after this time limit or if you don't show up.
Should any unforeseeable event force us to cancel a class or a series of classes, you will be offered the choice between an alternative class or a full refund. No refund or alternative will be available if a course is disrupted by an Act Of God.
Send a cheque payable to "imprology, 87 Cavendish Road, London N4 1RR, UK" along with the name, telephone and email contact of the workshop's participant(s). Make sure that your cheque reaches us before the start of the class you want to book. The booking fee is indicated on the booking page of each course. We will confirm your booking upon receipt by email.
Concession for equity members, full-time students, the unwaged, and anyone who took a class with imprology (excluding taster) in the past two months. Bring proof.
The booking fee is not refundable if you cancel less than 30 days in advance or if you don't show up. Full refund if you cancel more than 30 days in advance. Full refund if you don't enjoy your first class. See Terms and Conditions for details.
Who: This course is not open to the general public. It is not an entry-level course, and you must complete at least two other impro courses with us, sometimes more, (depending on your progress and appetite for risk-taking) before joining. Ask your imprology facilitator for details.
Benefits: Encourages interaction; Increases self-awareness; Facilitates fluent behaviours; Improves resilience; Enhances presentation skills; Demystifies creativity; Fosters cooperation; Strengthens problem-solving skills; Promotes authenticity; Rewards curiosity.
Scoop: Flow, lightness and congruence. You will learn to improvise plays. You will achieve this by performing stories containing multiple scenes both during classes and, on the last day of the cycle, in front of a real audience.
Structure: Each class usually consists of three periods. First, we breathe and relax with the entire group. Then we practice games, in pairs or groups, with everyone taking part at the same time. In the end, we practice scenes, with performers playing in front of the other participants on a voluntary basis. A beginners class will concentrate on the two first periods, while an advanced class will make more space for scene work and story-telling.
Method: Our classes are highly interactive and conditioned by the level of pleasure and energy in the room. We take the time to unwind and warm-up properly, and put our attention on space and movements as much as dialogues. Our guiding principles are complicity, pleasure and forgiveness.
Pace: The speed at which students acquire the necessary skills depends on each individual. The confidence to speak with ease in front of an audience manifests sooner or later, through voice and body training, as well as repeated exposure. The capacity to listen and adjust in real time to any given situation is harder to master. Participants will need to give themselves the freedom to experiment and the permission to fail.
Learning: Some of the learning takes place in stages and each session is dedicated to a particular aspect of improvisation. Other times learning happens in a breakthrough. As you play or watch other people play you suddenly realise something about yourself or the way you do things. A moment of clarity that has to be experienced and cannot be imparted. Receiving feedback will help you make sense of it all.
Remy Bertrand started teaching improvisation in the 90s and went full time in 2006. He is currently teaching at imprology, Drama Studio London and other institutions. He is the artistic director of Zootrophic, a performing improvisation ensemble, and hosts Love Explosion a monthly improvised feast open to all. Remy is also exploring improvised cinema with co-director Peter Snowdon with so far six improvised shorts and a filmed improvised installation "The Elastic Chairs".
As well as Keith Johnstone, Viola Spolin and Del Close, his teaching is informed by Viewpoints, Playback Theatre, Action Theatre, mask-making and cognitive sciences, but in the end, he has learned most of what he knows from his students. Remy teaches improvisation as a transformational process focusing on pleasure, curiosity and courage.
'I felt really supported and safe even though I was really scared on my first lesson.' Zita Konyari, Hospitality Executive
'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
'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
'Social anxiety was my main concern. Your course helped me much beyond my expectations.' Xavier P, Risk Management
'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
'I'm a full time stand up comedian these days and your course helped me massively.' Jonny Awsum, Comedian
'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
