We’re a mere few weeks away from the inaugural Edinburgh International Improv Festival, which will run from 7-10 February.  The new addition to the Festival City’s roster will split its schedule between the Scottish Storytelling Centre and Assembly Roxy.  The latter venue will host the Gala Launch Evening on Thursday 7 Feb.  Headlining will be Rob Broderick, aka Abandoman, award-winning Hip-Hop musical improviser.  Support will be from the ever-popular Spontaneous Players with Spontaneous Potter, an entirely improvised Harry Potter play.

Friday to Sunday features a wealth of acts from home and abroad in a series of double-bills.  Scottish acts include Edinburgh University’s Improverts, Edinburgh’s first all-female troupe The Tinderellas, Glasgow’s Couch, and The Imposters from Shetland.  From further afield are the likes of Do Not Adjust Your Stage and Classic Andy Improv from London, The A-Team and Pumps from Los Angeles, Dummy from Chicago and Dangerfield from Boston.  There will also be an ensemble team of eight disparate performers from around the World who will take to the stage, after coaching from Susan Harrison of Showstoppers! The Improvised Musical.  A full list of the troupes taking part can be found on the website.

In addition, several of the best improvisers in the world will be leading workshops designed to improve almost every aspect of your craft, from beginner level to advanced.  From the 8th to the 10th, there will be a full-day masterclass on a different theme, such as crafting a two person show and keeping your scenes grounded in a recognisable reality.  Alongside these will be a series of shorter sessions that aim to focus on the fundamentals of improv.  All day events cost £80 and shorter workshops are £40.  Spaces are limited and some have already sold out.  A full schedule can be seen here.

Tickets for all shows and workshops are available through the Edinburgh International Improv Festival website.