We’ve lost sight of something simple but important in our culture.

And that’s the simple fun of making your own entertainment.

In our consumer culture it has been outsourced it to the ‘entertainment industry’ and we’ve lost touch with something essentially human.

But we can take it back. And it’s not that hard. And people are doing that all over the world in many different ways – and improv is just one of them.

Over in Northern Ireland my uncle goes to his local pub with his tin whistle to make merry with whoever else has turned up with an instrument that night. And it’s the same for our community when we get together to play around, make each other laugh (or cry) and explore with what it is to be human.

Sometimes we even get a bit misty-eyed and choked-up at having found such a playful and creative community – a place where we can make real contact with other people

An unfortunate myth

So why isn’t everyone doing improv all the time? (And yes, I’m hugely biased!)

Well, there’s a common myth that gets in the way.

And that is that you have to be funny, clever, interesting and talented to entertain other people, and that some people have ‘got it’ and others don’t.

So we disempower ourselves, stay at home and outsource our entertainment to the ‘special few’ in the entertainment industry. Netflix here we come.

The outrageous lie is that ‘entertainers’ are fundamentally different to you, and that they have something you don’t have. So you can’t be like them or do what they do, and you should stay in your lane and if you play around with anyone – it should be your family and close friends.

If we want to entertain ourselves and other – in community – then we have to break free of this myth, and improv is great for doing that.

I don’t think perspective takes anything away from people who dedicate their lives to performance – they play a vital role in our culture. What it does is give something back to people who know they want more than a passive consumer role – an invitation to be part of the drama.

Safety, fun and learning

When you find a space where you can play around and be yourself with others others are doing the same it feels a lot like being with your friends and family. They become people you can trust and before you know it you’re entertaining yourself and others by being yourself and playing in character.

People often say to me “These classes are the highlight of my week!” and I think that’s testament to the trust, support and friendships that build up in a group that regularly plays together.

My uncle says that his impromptu music sessions are more about playing in the group, rather than being a soloist or virtuoso. It helps if you know your instrument that’s, but you don’t have to be Grade 8 to join in.

And that’s why discovering improv is like hitting the jackpot. You don’t even have to pick up an instrument, because the instrument is you! 

You’ve been using the instrument of your body, mind and spirit all your life – delivering unscripted dialogue in every conversation, following emotions as they come and go, taking part in a whole host of stories, and expressing yourself through body language.

The 1,000s, or 10,000s of hours you spent gaining these skills can be put to immediate use in improv. Simply by sharing your unique energy signature, acting as a different character, or committing to a game reveals something of your true self and it feels hugely energising and refreshing.

Naturally it’s a craft as well. So if you find that improv is ‘your thing’ you can learn plenty more about how you play your instrument – how you use your voice, share your emotions, create stories, invite laughter and using your body to express yourself.

A life line for our times

I’m at the stage now where I can’t imagine life without improv. If it was taken away from me, I’d feel like someone had turned off my life support.

When I discovered improv ten years ago I was amazed to find that some people meet up to play – to really play – and that it brings them great joy. I felt like Denethor in The Lord of The Rings coming back to life after the years of Grima Wormtongue’s deceit.

And a lot of other people are feeling the same way as improv is blooming all over the world – with more and more communities and festivals popping up. So my bet is that improv will take off more and more as we seek to escape our atomised, consumer culture.

And that means that there will be even more people making their own entertainment.

Image: La Wronge at Robin Hood International Improv Festival 2024