Curious about Improv?
Perhaps you’ve seen some live Improv, and always wanted to give it a go yourself. Or perhaps you’ve never tried it but fancy doing something new, exciting and fun.
Woking Improv Theatre is dedicated to bringing spontaneous joy and belly laughter to Woking and beyond.
Come and join us. Laughter guaranteed, or your money back!
So what exactly IS Improvisational Theatre? And similar really useful questions.
Improvisational Theatre (Improvisational Comedy or Improv) is a performance art which focuses entirely on spontaneous creativity and the developing of ideas, games, characters and narratives on the spot.
You don't need to be funny: you just need to be present, accepting and open.
Is it all about Comedy then? Do I need to be funny?
It is often utterly hilarious as no one knows what is going to happen until it happens! But whilst laughs are a big (and natural) part of it, there is so much more to Improv than the laughs. For example, participating in Improv provides an opportunity to play without fear of 'getting it wrong' or of 'not being good enough' (what a relief to let those fears go!).
It encourages us to learn how to support other people's ideas without judgement, and to learn to commit to our own ideas with conviction. Its benefits can be felt in the world of work, between friends, strangers, siblings and, of course, between lovers!
It’s widely believed in academic and performance circles that 'Improv can change the world' and we’re on board with this message. We promise, you don't need to be funny: you just need to be present, accepting and open. Happy people laugh and make others laugh too. Being 'funny' is probably an accident in Improv, and often the greatest laughs happen when things go wrong, not when someone tries to land a contrived line which doesn't ring true to the moment.
So is it like Am-Dram?
Nooooo.... Improvisational Comedy is completely unlike Am-Dram, or any kind of scripted, rehearsed performance. In Improv there are no scripts, no revisions and no re-runs. Everything that is created happens in that very moment; whether marvellous or disastrous - it never happens again.
So why should I do this? I don't want to be a performer...
As an art form and a practice, Improv is profoundly uplifting; socially, emotionally and psychologically. At best, you'll be empowered: more confident, more creatively inspired, and more open. At worst, you'll laugh yourself senseless and come away brimming with endorphins. With Woking Improv Theatre, there is no obligation to perform in public, though the opportunities will be made available to those who want to share the love.
Do I need experience in the Performing Arts to participate?
Not at all. Improv is indeed an arm of the Performing Arts, but you need be neither actor nor comic to participate. You do not need any prior experience or any particular skill to become an improviser. You just need to be willing to have a laugh, take risks, and embrace failure with a shrug and a grin. The greatest improvisers are those who leave their egos at the door and are ready to just say 'yes'.
“Through spontaneity we are re-formed into ourselves.”
Viola Spolin
Gallery
…and follow us on instagram! @wokingimprovtheatre
“This is how good improv should be! I spent some years doing improv with some of the big names in London. Some are very rules-based and others are too lax. Pip has it absolutely spot-on - there’s plenty of variety, the lessons are gentle and it’s always a fun. If you need your mojo back, this is where it’s at.”
Our Classes and Courses

Weekly drop-in sessions with Pip Palmer run every Wednesday evening in the Creche of the Maybury Centre from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Suitable for all abilities. Led by Pip Palmer. £18.50 on the door. Bring a bottle of water because all that laughing is thirsty work!
Level #1 This six-week course is ideal for anyone with no experience of Improv and who wants to learn the basics. This is one way to start your improv journey, or you could jump straight in by coming along to one of our Drop Ins. Next 6-week course due to start Tuesday, Sept 16th 2025. Learning notes included. Led by Pip Palmer. Tickets available by clicking the icon! £150

Level #2 The 8-week (A Bit More) Improv class is suitable for those who have done some improv classes before. It builds on the material from the Introduction to Improv class, and culminates in a show. Next course starts immediately after Intro to improv, on 28/10/2026. Learning notes included. Led by Pip Palmer. Ticket link coming soon! £200
Level #3 This course is perfect for those who have completed (A Bit More) Improv or an equivalent Level 2. We focus on specific skills including character, relationship building, status shifts, narrative tilts and story arcs. By the end of this course, you should know what it takes to make a scene a success, and feel confident in using a toolkit of skills to help you catapult your own scenes from 'hmm meh' to 'hell yeah!' Next course to run from Monday 15/09/2025. Led by Chris Rosser. Click the icon to book. £200

Level #4 Learn to focus on the funny! This is an eight-week course suitable for experienced improvisers with several shows under their belts. It is a precursor to our Harold course and suitable for anyone who has completed 'Scenes'/Level #3 equivalent, with us or elsewhere, or anyone who has been training in our Drop Ins for at least a year. Next course due to start on Monday 19/01/2026, culminating in a show. Email us to register. £200

Level #5 Now you've learned how to 'find the funny' in Game of the Scene, practice the format that harnesses Game like no other. This is an eight-week course suitable for improvisers who have studied Game either with us or elsewhere. Please email us to check your suitability for this course as this is an advanced programme which requires a certain degree of very specific former training. Next course due to start on Monday 19/01/2026, culminating in a show. Email us to register. £200

Level #5 Let’s face it — not everyone loves a Harold. Some improvisers just want to dive into story, character, drama and highjinks. If that’s you, and you’ve completed Levels #1–4 (with us or elsewhere), join this 8-week course. You’ll learn to weave compelling narratives, follow characters through plot discoveries, and benefit from top-tier theatrical improv teaching. Comedy isn’t the focus — acting, emotion and connection are — but let’s be honest: it’s bound to be funny. You can take the improviser out of comedy, but you can’t take the comedy out of the improviser. £200. Next course likely October 2025.
We run a number of stand-alone workshops to explore specific skills, such as character, voice, physical comedy, clowning, story-telling, emotional connection etc. Ideal for experienced improvisers who want to top up their training. Class prices vary, dependent on teacher and length of the workshops. Have a look at our Hall of Fame in the About section to see who has visited so far! Next up: Narrative Improv with Hoopla Steve on Monday 28th July 2025. £30. Click the link to book!

Every now and then WIT throws a party for our improvisers and for members of the wider Improv community. There isn't one in the pipeline just yet, but keep your eyes peeled for a WIT and Pals' Jam in August or the early Autumn. It's just £5 to play and £8 to watch. Anyone is welcome to play so long as you've done a couple of classes and read through and agreed to our Code of Conduct
