Five reasons we loved this season of DDG Improv

It’s been a bumper season for DDG Improv. Since January, we’ve produced twenty-eight shows, hosted sixty-four different acts (half of which made their DDG debut), and captained countless improv jams, sometimes running three a night. We will now take a well-earned break in August, but we have loved the past seven months for so many reasons. Here are five of them:

Photo credit: Mariana Feijó.

1. Half a Duckade

We celebrated our fifth birthday in February! We have now been hosting jams every Monday since 2014 and the Effra Social has been our Brixton base since 2015. We are firmly established in London as a friendly, welcoming stage for new players and experienced acts alike and we do not intend to stop any time soon.

Photo credit: Team DDG.

2. Class Act

Our jams have been many people’s introduction to improvising, so this season we took the next logical step and started teaching. From February, we ran sessions for improvisers of all levels of experience. This included a Performance Course which, in July, culminated in our first ever student showcase. These classes, as well as our workshops in drag and owning your identity as a BAME player, will return in Autumn as part of an expanded curriculum.

Photo credit: Mariana Feijó.

3. Jammy Dodgers

With some of our hosts now teaching, Team DDG had to grow to ensure our shows still run smoothly. Jam regulars, Lou and Vanessa, joined our pool of hosts and quickly proved invaluable dedicated ad-libbing impresarios who now present weekly.

4. DJ takes Requests

Speaking of presenters, a jam in June featured a special guest. Australian radio DJ Carrie Bickmore was surprised with the opportunity to perform on a London stage! Namely, our cosy room in the Churchill Lounge. Partnered with DDG’s Steff, she pulled off a lovely two-person scene with aplomb. True to the ethos of improv, he made his scene partner look great.

YouTube still.

5. You

Yes, you. People power improv. You inspire scenes with prompts, you play onstage, and you are our supportive audience. Doing this show every week is a joy because we love making new friends and seeing so many fresh faces.

Have a brilliant summer, everyone. We cannot wait to see you all again on Monday 2nd September.

Photo credit: Team DDG.