Fake news, a Royal Wedding, the Singapore budget and cryptocurrency may seem to have nothing in common, but improbable scenarios involving all the above can only come to life with the magic of improvisational theatre. Diverse audience suggestions will spark the stories that will be told at the Singapore Improv Festival (SIF), returning 15–18 March 2018 at the Aliwal Arts Centre.
For many of us, we might have had our first taste of Improv through Drew Carey and the cast of Whose Line is it Anyway. Now in its second edition, the Singapore Improv Festival presents completely unscripted and unmissable stories created with nothing but a little help from the audience and the performers’ own creativity. Expect unique tales of love, horror, adventure and science fiction and much more — made up completely on the spot.
“The first Singapore Improv Festival was a resounding success, and we are excited to bring the Festival back for another iteration. No two shows are the same due to the nature of improv, and we are excited to see what stories we can tell this year, with the help of the audience, of course,”
– Kim Tan, director of The Singapore Improv Festival.
With a total of 39 teams participating, twice that of the inaugural SIF in 2016, the festival promises to bring double the laughs.
This year’s performers include Les Musicables, Singapore’s only dedicated musical improv troupe; The Modern Schemers, Singapore’s longest running improv team; and The Latecomers, a troupe of stand-up comedians who excel in Whose Line Is It Anyway style games.
And for the first time, international improv troupes will also gracing the festival stage. The lineup includes teams from the Philippines (SPIT), Hong Kong (People’s Liberation Improv), Beijing (Beijing Improv), South Korea (Imfrog), Australia (Nick Byrne) and Germany (KurzFormChaos).
“Improv has always been about collaboration. It is a privilege this year to be able to host some of the most talented improvisers from across the region and beyond,” adds Kim.
Interested in Improv? Alongside shows, SIF18 will also hold workshops for those curious about improv. Classes will be held for all skill levels, so whether you are keen to hone your acting skills, want to try a teaser course or simply wish to apply a little a bit of improv spirit into your life, there will be a workshop for you.
The Singapore Improv Festival was first started in 2016 by Kim Tan and Hazel Ho of The Improv Company, Singapore’s largest improvised theatre company that aims to bring the joy of improv theatre to Singapore and the region.
Tickets for the festival will go on sale on February 1st through the Festival website, and are priced from $25-30. A 30% early bird discount is available until end of February.