Ask any Oxford comedy buff for their recommendations and it won't be long before the Oxford Imps get a mention. Over the past two decades, the acclaimed improv troupe has cemented itself as an Oxford Comedy insitution, counting comedians like Rachel Parris, Sophie Duker and Ivo Graham among its illustrious alumni. Their Whose Line Is it Anyway style antics have netted them glowing reviews from the Edinburgh Fringe and international tours, and their weekly term-time shows are a Jericho Tavern nightlife staple. But what goes in to making great improv? As the troupe prepares to celebrate their 21st birthday, we caught up with some of their members to discuss the art of creating comedy off-the-cuff.
Daily Info: First of all, thank you for taking the time to speak to us and congratulations on the Imps turning 21! For those who are unfamiliar, can you tell us a little about the group and how it got its start?
Billy (Assistant Director): The Oxford Imps are an improv comedy group made up of students and locals who perform every week (during Oxford term time) at the Jericho Tavern, at the Fringe each year and beyond! The group started back in 2003 when some Oxford students went up to the Fringe, saw some of the amazing improv groups up there, and thought: why isn't there something like that in Oxford? And the rest is history.
DI: What draws you to improv as an art form?
Sol (Director): The ‘liveness’. You share the pleasure with an audience so much more than other forms of theater. When a joke lands or an idea is realized, it's novel for everyone in the room. That's an exciting, electric thing. As an art form, I think it really rewards graft as well; training and discipline is definitely rewarded.
Billy: Most people who get involved with improv start as an audience member - I grew up on Whose Line is it Anyway? reruns on Dave, and then started watching the Imps when I was at uni. Improv is so special compared to other performance disciplines as each performance is completely different, so you can never get bored!
Sali (Assistant Director): It’s the unpredictability of it all that keeps me coming back. As a performer, you’re discovering the scenes at the same time as the audience, and the risk and opportunity that comes with that means the room absolutely fizzes with energy! There really is nothing quite like it.
DI: What would you recommend to anyone looking to get into improv for the first time?
Sol: Go to workshops and try to learn from those who are good at improv. Outside of improv, make sure you have a healthy diet of fiction and comedy.
Billy: The Imps are running a couple of these workshops in October! Don't be afraid of the pressure to be funny - improv is really about listening and working together, not thinking of the funniest joke.
Sali: Don’t overthink it - just get in the room and give it a go! All you need to get started is an open mind and a willingness to have fun with your scene partners.
DI: Of course, any improv show relies on its audience - we’ve talked a little about what makes a good improviser, but what makes a good improv audience member? Are there any favourite audience interactions you’ve had?
Sali: My favourite interactions are always in games where we invite an audience member up on stage and get to know them a bit better. We’ve had some real characters, and some really lovely moments; it can be tempting to forget you’re performing and just keep having a nice old chat!
DI: Many current and former Imps members also have successful careers in stand-up - how does improv hone other comedy instincts?
Billy: Improv is a lot about being in tune with the audience and how they react, which I'm sure helps with stand-up.
Sol: Stand ups have told me that improv encouraged them to try bolder and more absurd characters and voices in their stand up acts. Improv hones two important comic instincts; absurdity management and listening to an audience. Absurdity management means building up the absurdity of a scene/joke/scenario in a way that's funny and doesn't lose momentum. If you get too lost in the idea and forget to communicate it to the audience, people can lose interest.
DI: The team runs improv workshops for women and non-binary people and people of the global majority - why is it so important for improv (and comedy in general) to create these spaces?
Billy: You only have to look at most improv groups or comedy night lineups to see that comedy is still hugely dominated by white cis men. This can make it feel like a world that isn't for anyone that isn't that. That's why it's important to encourage people from marginalised communities specifically to get involved in a supportive space. Also, comedy is all about people's perspectives on the world - and how boring to limit those perspectives to those of just white guys?
DI: August saw another stellar run at the Edinburgh Fringe for the team - where will your 21st year be taking you and how are you planning on celebrating?
Sol: We're gonna have a huge reunion and big bash hopefully for the imps!
Billy: We'll be doing more of what we have been doing for the last 21 years, with shows every Monday at the Jericho Tavern, as well as some additional special one-off shows throughout the year, including a Christmas Special at the Bullingdon on the 4th December!
DI: Last but not least, describe the Oxford Imps in 5 words.
Sol: Witty, silly, and not Acapella.
Billy: A fun, friendly, chaotic community.
Sali: “Can I have a suggestion…?”
The Imps' next show will be at the Jericho Tavern on Monday 14th October. Their workshops for women/non-binary people and POC/Global majority performers will be held on Sat 12th and Sun 13th October respectively at the Old Fire Station. You can find tickets for all their upcoming shows and workshops here - come along and give it a try!