Learning to improvise

The Cyprus Theatre Organisation (Thoc) will offer an intensive three-day training course in improvised musical theatre covering all the skills that have made Showstoppers – The Improvised Musical – an Olivier Award-winning West End hit.

The workshop, which will run from October 28 to 30 at Theatro Apothikes Thoc in Nicosia, will include improvised solo and group singing, narrative and storytelling, scene work and movement. Participants will learn all about improvisation in musical theatre from the show’s director Duncan Walsh Atkins and founding member, award-winning comedian, actress, songwriter and improviser Pippa Evans.

Atkins has been musical director of Showstoppers since 2009, during which time it has had sell-out Edinburgh Festival Fringe and West End runs, national and international tours, and a BBC Radio 4 series. His other credits include Adam Megiddo’s Burlesque which won the 2011 Off-West End Best New Musical Award, and The Tailor-Made Man at the Arts Theatre (which he co-composed with Meggido).

Evans has taken six shows to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, bagging a nomination for The Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer in 2008 for her debut show Pippa Evans and Other Lonely People.

Since then she has gone from strength to strength, performing regularly on BBC Radio 4 institution The Now Show as well as making guest appearances on hit TV shows such as Dave’s Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled and Comedy Central’s Drunk History. She has taught improvisation at Drama Studio London, LAMDA and regularly delivers the Showstopper Musical Intensive programme.

If you are an experienced improviser who is keen to expand your skills, or a confident performer willing to try improvising for the first time, then send your CV and contact details to [email protected] indicating that it is intended for the Showstoppers, until October 15. The cost for the three-day workshop is €75 and classes will run from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm until 6pm.

The Showstoppers
Three-day training course in improvised musical theater. October 28-30. Theatro Apothikes, Nicsia. 9am-1pm and 2pm-6pm. €75. In English. Tel: 22-864300

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