What's On: Liverpool Improvisation Festival
Get ready to dive into the excitement of the Liverpool Improvisation Festival (LIF) 2024 – it's back, and it's bigger and better than ever! After the smashing success of last year's launch, we're thrilled to hear that there will be more performances, a fantastic film competition, and an extra day filled with inspiring workshops.
Liverpool has a rich history of hosting improvised work. LIF is here to continue that legacy - celebrating innovation, risk-taking, and those who dare to be different and bringing you the very best in local, regional, national, and international improvised performances.
LIF aims to create opportunities for everyone in improvised live performances and promises to educate and develop future audiences and performers.
Hosted by the fabulous Unity Theatre, Liverpool, and in collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), LIF 2024 promises an amazing time. The festival kicks off with a range of shows on Friday, April 19th, and continues the excitement on Saturday, April 20th. The weekend then finishes off on Sunday the 21st with a full day of workshops at LJMU, where you can enhance your improvisation skills.
And they've got a spectacular line-up for you! With 13 shows (including five world premieres), an international film competition, and workshops led by renowned practitioners, there's something for everyone. Brace yourself for a diverse range of improvisational acts, drawing inspiration from clowning, comedy, dance, drag, musical theatre, opera, storytelling, and pure theatre magic.
Mark Smith, the Creative Producer of the LIF has summed up the experience of the festival, "They are linked together for the length of the show, both working out what is going to happen next – and that is exciting. The live aspect of improv and its interactivity with an audience is what makes it different to traditional theatre."
He explains that the festival was initially set up to address the impact of the global pandemic on the improvisation community, which was hit throughout the region. Expressing hope for the future, he states, "The festival is still in its infancy, and we are constantly looking at how to improve it. We hope that the festival becomes an annual event for the people of Liverpool. Our aim is to create an opportunity for the improv and wider community to gather and watch some incredible work from across the globe. We strive to ensure that there is something for everyone."
Looking at the exciting and unique experience that the LIF has to offer, we are sure that this will be the case and we can’t wait to see what it brings!
Let's break down the festival highlights:
Day One (Friday):
Immerse yourself in the world premiere of ‘Freeing Myself with the Pole’, a four-hour durational improvised pole dance by Rowena Gander in Unity One.
Join Wigan-based Casino Improv for an interactive and playful experience in ‘The Children of Captain Von Trapp Wish to Say Goodnight’.
Sheffield-based Open Heart Theatre bring their show ‘Old Haunts’, drawing theatrical inspiration from buildings’ histories.
Local favourites Jen Hardy and Becky Webb bring humour and mystery in ‘Murder at the Museum’.
Award-winning Your Flaws the Musical turns personal flaws into a musical masterpiece.
The first day closes with the interactive comedic murder mystery by Murder Inc.
Day Two (Saturday):
Dive into the world premiere of ‘The Story Forge: Making a Myth’ with Rob Bond and Lee Hithersay, an interactive and family-friendly (6+) show in which the members of the audience form the main characters.
Enjoy the short-form (games-based) improv with The Oickers, who perform their show ‘Fruit Smoothie’.
Witness the funny and feminist-inspired show ‘Questionable Behaviour’ by Dereks Mojo.
Experience the world premiere of ‘A Wake’ an improvised funeral wake, and the drag king musical ‘Like Father. Improvised drag king musical about manhood’ by VUJO.
International company Pairentheses explores character stories in "Shades of Emotion".
Day two closes with local favourites Rubbish Shakespeare and their full-length version of "Improvised Rubbish Shakespeare – the Incomplete Works", recently returned from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Day Three (Sunday):
Shift gears at the Joe H Makin Drama Centre (LJMU) for a day of workshops focusing on improvisation techniques and skill development. Learn from the best with workshop leaders Mark Phoenix, Jodyanne FR, Simone Ellul, and Owen Scrivens.
So, don't miss your chance to be part of this thrilling celebration of improvisation! Get your tickets now..let the spontaneity begin!
Location:
Unity Theatre and the Joe H Makin Drama Centre - LJMU (next door)
Box Office:
Show tickets are available from the Unity Website or 0151 709 4988
Website:
www.unitytheatre.co.uk / www.Liverpoolimprovfestival.com
Show Dates:
Friday the 19th – Saturday the 20th of April, 2024 (Unity Theatre)
Workshop dates:
Sunday the 21st of April, 2024 (LJMU - Joe H Makin Drama Centre)
Workshop tickets:
Workshop tickets are available from www.Liverpoolimprovfestival.com
Ticket prices:
2-hour workshop – £22.50+ booking fee (15 available per workshop)
3-hour workshop – £32.50 + booking fee (15 available per workshop)
Written by, Nadine Jump