FAQ
How can I find out about Improbable projects?
The website is a good source of information www.improbable.co.uk.
You can also join our mailing lists .
If you want further / any other information email office@improbable.co.uk or call + 44 (0) 20 7240 4556 the office and ask.
Can I join a mailing list?
You can join our mailing lists (email and postal) on our website by clicking here.
Can I get video documentation of Improbable’s work?
Improbable have video/DVD documentation of most of their previous work, you can buy these from us if you are going to use them for educational purposes only. If you are interested in buying a video/DVD please email office@improbable.co.uk or call + 44 (0) 20 7240 4556 to find out what is available. Videos/DVDs cost £20 + VAT + postage and packaging. If you order a video/DVD we will send you an invoice, which you have to pay for in full and then a video/DVD will be sent to you.
You can also buy a work-in-progress CD-ROM (for PC's only), in which Phelim is shown working with professional performers towards an understanding of space and objects and how these might form the improviser’s art. Also included are extensive interview texts with Dr Dick McCaw. These cost £15 +VAT + postage and packaging.
Does Improbable tour its past projects?
Improbable sometimes tours its past projects, usually on request by a promoter. If you are interested to find out what projects are touring check the website or join our mailing lists.
What type of audience does Improbable aim for?
We aim to entertain everybody. We don’t succeed of course but the work does seem to be enjoyed by a real mix of people. We are particularly pleased at the positive feedback we have received from younger audiences and people who do not consider themselves "theatregoers".
If you are unsure if Improbable’s work is for you, you can always email office@improbable.co.uk or call + 44 (0) 20 7240 4556 to ask more about it.
Does Improbable offer workshops?
Improbable tries to hold a Summer School in London every couple of years. The Summer School is aimed at practitioners who are interested in developing skills and experience in working the Improbable way. The Summer School is an open application process, but places are limited. If you are interested in applying in the future email office@improbable.co.uk or call + 44 (0) 20 7240 4556.
Improbable sometimes offers other workshop programmes. Occasionally a workshop turns into a show as was the case with STICKY. If you are interested in hearing about these opportunities email office@improbable.co.uk or call + 44 (0) 20 7240 4556.
Julian, Lee and Phelim also are interested in devising workshops or talks for specific groups or contexts in the arts, business, or beyond. If you are interested in discussing this get in touch with them through the office at office@improbable.co.uk or call + 44 (0) 20 7240 4556.
Is there an opportunity for students / emerging practitioners to view Improbable in a rehearsal process?
There may be opportunities to view the rehearsals, but these are likely to be rare, and limited to people who have some role in the process.
Does Improbable offer work experience or placements?
Improbable offers work experience and placements in all areas of its work and practice. We take administration and producing placements all year round, but places are limited. If you are interested please email office@improbable.co.uk or post to Improbable, 4th Floor, 43 The Aldwych, London, WC2B 4DN, your CV and a covering letter stating how you think you would benefit from this opportunity. We will get in touch with you to discuss the possibility of a placement.
We take placements who are interested in gaining an insight into the creative process through specific projects. When we can see a placement opportunity for a project we will get in touch with people who have expressed an interest in this and/or advertise it if necessary. If you are interested in being involved in this way please email office@improbable.co.uk or post to Improbable, 4th Floor, 43 The Aldwych, London, WC2B 4DN, your CV and a covering letter stating what your area of interest is and how you think you would benefit from this opportunity. We will get in touch with you as and if/when an appropriate opportunity arises.
How can I get large group bookings to see Improbable’s work?
Improbable’s work can get booked up very quickly. Join our mailing list to ensure you hear about our work as soon as possible, also make regular trips to our website www.improbable.co.uk. You have to book to see our work through the particular venue or promoter we will be working with and Improbable always tries to pursue group booking discounts if at all possible. If you try to book a large group into see something and it is already sold out contact the office office@improbable.co.uk or call + 44 (0) 20 7240 4556 to see if there is anything we can help with. We can’t make any promises that we will be able to help but it is always worth a try.
How does Improbable cast their work / put together creative teams for their work?
Julian, Lee and Phelim perform, direct, write and / or design Improbable’s work. We also work with a core group of performers and other creatives who often collaborate on different pieces of work. We hold auditions and interviews as and when we need to expand our team. If you are interested in being considered for future work please send your CV to office@improbable.co.uk or Improbable, 4th Floor, 43 The Aldwych, London, WC2B 4DN. We will let you know that we have received it and we will get in touch with you if an appropriate project happens.
What is the process Improbable goes through to make its work?
This is different for every project. About the only common thread through all our shows is an improvisational aesthetic, which informs their creation and performance. This leads us to focus on the creation of a company rather than the creation of a show. We figure that if we get the company working well together, the show will pretty much take care of itself.
If you look through the show information on our website some of the projects also have a specific description of the development process too.
Was Improbable the result of any kind of reaction to current or previous trends in Theatre in the World?
Improbable was not consciously a reaction to current or previous trends in Theatre in the World, but it is easy to get interested in the kind of theatre you don’t see being made.
Improbable is a reaction to Theatre in general, in it’s acknowledgement of the presence of an audience, the embracing of theatre as a truly ‘live’ medium, and as a celebration of failure – the great taboos of much contemporary theatre.
What are the aims of Improbable / the key principals underlying the work of the company?
Improbable brings together the diverse and acclaimed talents of three of Britain's most highly respected theatre practitioners to create and tour theatre and projects of all scales. Our projects are primarily based on stories that connect people to each other and to the world. The Company is committed to finding new and exciting ways to tell stories, using puppetry, mask, live music and improvisation when creating and performing their productions. Improbable has a firm commitment to collaboration and to the passing on of their accumulated knowledge, producing not only original and powerful new work, but also facilitating the creative growth of their associated artists.
What influences inform Improbable’s work?
We each bring our individual influences to bear on the work;
Julian: Georges Melies, The Singing Ringing Tree, Oliver Postgate, Peter Breugel, Heironymous Bosch, Italo Calvino, John Fox, Nigel Jamieson, Peter Schumann, Terry Gilliam, The Beatles, Captain Beefheart, Dr Seuss, Walter Murch, Rolf Harris, Phelim McDermott and Lee Simpson.
Lee: Tex Avery, Porridge, The Goons, Jim Sweeney, Phelim McDermott, Bruce Forsyth, Julian Crouch, Peter Wear, Bob Hewett, Felt, Arsene Wenger, The Comedy Store Players, Mike Yarwood, Keith Johnstone … (all men. Interesting.)
Phelim: Michael Checkov, Keith Johnstone, Phillipe Gaulier, Viola Spolin, Julia Bardsley, Wesley Balk, Jeremy Whelan, Eric Morris, Billy MacKenzie, Arnold Mindel, Joan Littlewood, Kyle Baker, Alasdair Gray, Russell Hoban
What is the substance used in 70 Hill Lane to encase Phelim?
Well it is sort of messy if you don't do it right. It is a mixture of Copydex glue and water, mixed together and painted on the surface of a table. It dries into a thin latex film after quite a number of hours. As part of the show Phelim lay on the table, and Guy and Steve picked the latex up by the edges and carefully covered him with the dried latex film. Phelim later had to work his way out of this cocoon as part of the show. Sometimes it was shed rather beautifully like ectoplasm. Other times it snapped around him like a thick pair of incontinence pants. This usually depended on the thickness of the original application, which could only be perfected through trial and error, and experience.
Does Improbable consider themselves to be alternative theatre?
The idea of ‘alternative’ as in ‘alternative’ comedy or ‘alternative’ theatre was probably a media creation. We have always aimed to create good theatre by whatever means necessary.
What are the boundaries between director and designer in Improbable’s work?
Sometimes clear and well defined, sometimes non-existent, but whatever the boundaries there will always be a creative relationship between the two.
What are the future plans for Improbable?
Our future projects are outlined here our website. We will continue to make new work together and are always interested to hear about exciting ideas and opportunities.
How can I ask more questions?!
We will regularly update these frequently asked questions, so if you have more email office@improbable.co.uk or call + 44 (0) 20 7240 4556 and we will try to answer them.
What networks are there for theatre?
These are a few we can think of, it is not an exclusive list:
Informal European Theatre Meeting (IETM) www.ietm.org
Independent Theatre Council (ITC) www.itc-arts.org
Performing Rights Society www.prs.co.uk
Society of British Theatre Designers www.theatredesign.org.uk
The New Work Network www.newworknetwork.org.uk
Total Theatre www.totaltheatre.org.uk
What training is there for improvised work?
You could try the following places to find out:
National Council for Drama Training www.ncdt.co.uk
Keith Johnstone www.keithjohnstone.com
Actors Centre http://actors.nfshost.com/pages
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