I’ve watched the London improv community grow for 15 years now and I’m so proud of its creativity and ambition.

I’ve got to the point where I want to contribute something to that community. Not as a teacher for hire, but by creating my own courses and classes.

I don’t want to step on the toes of the improv schools that are already doing such great work in London but I also see a need for something new.

In my view, what we lack in London is:

a) a home for truly theatrical work - improv that’s as interested in stagecraft, storytelling and moving an audience, as it is in making them laugh

b) enough stage time to try these ideas out, to find an audience and inspire other improvisers

c) a place for people who have progressed past the fun hobby stage and now want to focus on honing their craft

I’m calling this new initiative, The Pretend Company. Initially, it’ll be an 8-week programme in September that will explore some of these ideas.

Here are the ways I want to do things a bit differently:

• Maximum class size of 12
• A focus on ensemble, students will be expected to block out all class dates before applying to ensure good attendance
• An application process to guarantee everyone on the course is at a similar level
• Minimal games and traditional improv exercises
• A focus on performance, scene work and personal actionable feedback
• The creation of a brand new theatrical improv format to be performed by the cast over 2 nights at the end of the course

I’m well aware that this isn’t going to be for everybody, but I reckon, for the people it does appeal to, it’s going to be a total game changer. A class where every single person wants to get better at supporting, connecting and performing truly remarkable improv theatre.

This initial 8-week course will be an exploration and a first step away from a traditional level system - running from Saturday 7th September until 2nd November 2024 (with a week off on 5th October).

Are you interested? Fill out this form and let me know your thoughts (even if you’re not free in September necessarily).

I’d also love to answer your questions, or chat to you in more detail on any aspect of this idea, just send an email to [email protected]

Thanks for reading this wall of text!