Grand Theft Impro

I went out with the brothers G (Gil and Guy) last night to see an improv night based purely on the group’s name - Grand Theft Impro at a pub called the Wheatsheaf - near Charlotte Street. I half expected the area to be pretty quiet as most of meejia (dahhling) would be at the NMAs last night, but the Fitzrovia Tavern turned out to be heaving as always.

But back to the impro, basically a troupe of about 6-7 guys hired out the room upstairs, chucked out some chairs and put on a show. It reminded me of being back in uni and lacking the opportunity to be in someone else’s show (i.e. not getting cast) they would just put one on. I always  felt that this kind of ad hoc theatre making sometimes had a tendency to be more for the entertainment of the cast, with the audience being mere bystanders. I think that there were some elements of that last night, when the actors would find their own jokes so amusing that they would have to stifle giggles. However, they did it with such unabashed joy it was hard not to laugh along with them.

We were the last people to walk into the ‘theatre’ and of course wound up with seats in the front row. Is anyone else as afraid as I am of sitting anywhere near the front row during anything comedic? Guy thought that certain aspects of it didn’t live up to the title, particularly as there was no theft (or video gaming) in the performance.  But we all agreed that our suggestions were definitely the funniest.. I was particularly proud when my suggestion meant that they had to sing about colonic irrigation!

It made me feel even more strongly that I should do improvisation classes again, so that I can release the more dramatic elements of my personality in a controlled atmosphere and not to the frightened bemusement of my friends and loved ones.
Does anybody know where to do improvisation classes in London, preferably on a drop in basis?