Does Online Improv Actually Work?

“Now if you had told me at the beginning of the year I would be here talking to you about the benefits of online comedy improv, I would have told you that you were deluded. However, my initial cynicism and scepticism have been blown out of the water. The people I've got to play with over the last few months in my workshops have taught me that comedy improvisation works perfectly well online. It is different don't get me wrong - there are some things that work differently - but that is not to say that in some ways there are things that online improv can give us that we could never get in real physical life.

The first I think, and probably the most interesting, is that of accessibility. One of the biggest challenges I faced as a performer and teacher is finding places where everybody can get to. Unfortunately, performance spaces are notoriously poorly constructed for accessibility and for those with mobility issues the choices are limited. Comedy online - the workshops I've been running - suddenly provide truly equitable opportunity for all people from all walks of life, whatever their requirements, to come and to partake and that's been an absolute revelation. That's not to mention the carers and parents who otherwise would have to stay at home and can't get out of an evening - because they’ve got bubbas in bed - suddenly put them to bed and have two hours where they can log on and come and play with us and for me, that is a genuine privilege and a huge benefit of online improv.

The other thing I think that has really surprised me is the level of connection, and by that I mean suddenly people from all around the world are able to connect with each other. My workshops have always been limited by proximity to Brighton or London simply because that's where I can get to and where my students can get to. But suddenly I've been hanging out with people from all around the world, from different walks of life and the vibrancy and diversity that has offered has been absolutely phenomenal. For me, that has made the workshops even more interesting and for me as a performer means completely different viewpoints to what I have experienced in the past. It has also meant as well that I have had to really up my game as a teacher. I have had to think much more carefully about how I replicate some of the things that perhaps are more tacit and less obvious about teaching improv - about creating and holding space for people and that has meant that I've had to really brush up my listening skills and be able to articulate and communicate that to my students. To help them to feel safe and secure and to be able to listen to one another and bond with one another. How do you replicate those little conversations that go off on the side when there's quiet or between exercises? That's been a real challenge but I think I've been able to replicate that to some effect. 

The last thing that I think has been a great lesson about online workshops has been how safe people feel. Now improvised comedy is notoriously vulnerable; we are walking into places and asking others to accept and build on ideas that have come from somewhere within us - sometimes from creepy and peculiar places and we ask people to do that with love and compassion. When I'm asking people to come into a new space and meet new people that can be intimidating. However there seems to be some kind of safety magic that happens when people are joining from their front rooms or from their homes - it gives them permission to do something different, to bring something different and for those people who perhaps would feel naturally disinclined from doing a course because it felt like too much, online classes offer a way to do that safely and more gently and with less risk. For that I am extremely grateful because it has afforded me the opportunity to work with people that probably I wouldn't get to work with otherwise. So, these are my musings - coherent as they are or not I wanted to share what I think. It’d be fascinating to hear what you lot think as well so if you've got any strong feelings about whether you think comedy improv works online or not comment or send me a message. It would be great to chat.

I look forward to seeing how online improv works in the future. Is it here to stay or will it go once this horrendous pandemic situation resolves itself (if it ever does)? I will be fascinated to hear your opinion.”