the comedy of elders
Fun & friendly improv workshops for the over 60s.
Our Comedy of Elders workshops are for people aged 60 and older who are interested in socialising while learning the core skills of improvised comedy. If you’re looking for an active and fun hobby with lots of laughter, then Hoopla is the place for you!
What’s improv?
Improv is not the same as acting where you have to memorise lines. In improv you perform with your scene partner in the moment, listening and responding to the last thing that they said. It’s about working together as a team with other improvisers to spontaneously create group stories, scenes & sketches, similar to the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway.
Improv is about creating a communal atmosphere where everyone is treated as important and part of the team.
In our Comedy of Elders sessions, you will be able to learn and perform with people who share a similar frame of reference. These workshops follow the same curriculum as our evening courses with less of a focus on physical games to remain inclusive of those with physical limitations. They will also give you access to an team of peers to have a laugh with!
Our workshops cover a diverse range of core improvisation skills such as Spontaneity, Listening, Yes And, Commitment, Confidence, Character, Scenes, Games and Story.
Most of all you get to meet a great bunch of new people and have a really good laugh!
No previous experience needed!
You don’t need any previous experience of improv, acting or comedy to take part. Complete beginners are welcome.
You don’t have to clever, fast or funny to take part! That might sound counter-intuitive but actually improv isn’t about those things, it’s about listening to each other and building on each other’s ideas in a really collaborative way. It’s the ultimate team game.
Fun Socials
After each workshop there’s an optional social to the local pub. You can also come and watch our shows at the weekends to see how improv works on stage.
So come out, meet some new people, play some fun games and have a laugh every week!
dates, time, location
Dates: TBC. Please contact us to be added to waiting list for when dates become available.
Time: 2pm – 4pm each week.
Price: £210 reduced to £170 for over 60s. Either payable all at once or £85 at time of booking and £85 when the course starts.
Teacher: Steve Roe.
Workshop Location: Hoopla at The Miller, 96 Snowsfields Road, London Bridge, SE1 3SS.
Tube: London Bridge.
My anxiety evaporated in that room. My stage fright transformed into excitement, and I became dynamic, more spontaneous. Happier.
I felt empowered and energised. So much so that I took the next course level and did my first public performance.
The supportive atmosphere ensures that even complete beginners will have the confidence to grow their skills
Hoopla's workshops are supportive and collaborative.
In one class, I laughed so hard that I cried, full-on shaking with laughter, as tears streamed down my face.
The workshop really helps you internalise some of the skills we all know are important, like really listening, not dismissing others’ ideas out of hand and allowing yourself to speak up.
The finest off-the-cuff troupes on the circuit.
Thanks for the workshop. All the feedback has been extremely positive! The team loved it!
I now regularly try to make room for improv and play time in my life. It is a bright spot when I am feeling beaten down by the everyday. The three hours of laughter do wonders for my stress levels, and afterwards I sleep without a care.
The capital’s best improv. The UK’s first improv comedy club.
If improvisation floats your boat you should head to Hoopla. There’s fewer better ways to see what spur-of-the-moment comedy London has to offer.
Signing up for improv classes helped my shyness to melt away.
Teaches the skills you’ll need to master scenes, stories and sketches in a relaxed environment.
Everywhere you look, huge grins suggest an enthusiasm and an attentiveness that is rarely seen in a course.
topics
Fun games to improve active listening.
Yes And, the improv philosophy of team creativity.
Creating a collaborative and supportive team on stage.
Commitment and confidence without fear of failure.
Having fun with making mistakes.
Spontaneity.
Being Obvious as an unexpected way of unleashing imagination and creativity.
Finding agreement and relationship on stage instead of conflict.
Play, play and more play.
Creating fun comedic characters on the spot.
Weaving fantastic stories from thin air.
Improvising scenes with captivating relationships and emotions.
Games, games and more games!
And most of all having fun with improvising!
faqs
What previous experience do I need before starting?
You don't need any previous experience of improv, acting or comedy to take part. This course is suitable for total beginners.
Can I join this course if I'm under 60?
Cheeky young whipper-snapper! If you are 50 something then OK.
Is there an upper age limit?
No. We've worked with people well into their late 80s and it worked fine. In fact not only did it work fine, they were some of the best improvisers we have worked with. A lot of improv skills like emotional intelligence, understanding, rapport, playing relationships actually improve with age and life experience so in many ways you are playing at an advantage.
Can I do it if I have physical limitations?
There isn't much more moving about than real life. It's not a dance class and a lot of the exercises can be played sat down. The workshops follow the same curriculum as our evening courses but with less of a focus on physical games to remain inclusive of those with physical limitations. There aren't any exercises we can't modify to suit different physical needs.
What if I’m running late?
We’ll be starting each session on time so please try to get there on time. This is so we can warm up together and work together as team.
What happens if I can't make every week?
That's ok, we do different standalone topics each week so you won't be at a disadvantage if you have to miss a week due to holiday or something, and will be fine to join in again the following week.
What’s the class size?
Our workshops are usually 12-14 people.
Is there an end of course show?
Not on this course because we like to focus on the core improv skills and having fun with improv without the added stress of a show. Our later courses do have optional shows at the end though.
Can I pay by instalments?
Yes. You can pay half at time of booking and half once the course starts, please see details at top of page.
Are you wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The venue has lift access and all our games and exercises can be modified for people who use wheelchairs.
My anxiety evaporated in that room. My stage fright transformed into excitement, and I became dynamic, more spontaneous. Happier.
I felt empowered and energised. So much so that I took the next course level and did my first public performance.
The supportive atmosphere ensures that even complete beginners will have the confidence to grow their skills
Hoopla's workshops are supportive and collaborative.
In one class, I laughed so hard that I cried, full-on shaking with laughter, as tears streamed down my face.
The workshop really helps you internalise some of the skills we all know are important, like really listening, not dismissing others’ ideas out of hand and allowing yourself to speak up.
The finest off-the-cuff troupes on the circuit.
Thanks for the workshop. All the feedback has been extremely positive! The team loved it!
I now regularly try to make room for improv and play time in my life. It is a bright spot when I am feeling beaten down by the everyday. The three hours of laughter do wonders for my stress levels, and afterwards I sleep without a care.
The capital’s best improv. The UK’s first improv comedy club.
If improvisation floats your boat you should head to Hoopla. There’s fewer better ways to see what spur-of-the-moment comedy London has to offer.
Signing up for improv classes helped my shyness to melt away.
Teaches the skills you’ll need to master scenes, stories and sketches in a relaxed environment.
Everywhere you look, huge grins suggest an enthusiasm and an attentiveness that is rarely seen in a course.