An Inside Look: BIG IF 5 Barcelona Improv Festival
Yesterday, I attended a few shows at the BIG IF 5 Barcelona Improv Festival, which is the largest international improv festival in Europe! It includes four jam-packed days of 16 improv shows and 40 workshops. Professional improvisers have made the journey to this festival from all around the world, making this an exciting event for all fans of improv.
At a Glance
🗺️ Location: Barcelona, Spain
📍 Theatre: Barcelona Improv Group➝
📅 Dates: 11/6/2019–11/8/2019
🎭 Type of Show: Improv Comedy
🌐 Language: English
⏰ Runtime: Various
About the BIG IF 5 Barcelona Improv Festival
Last night kicked off the festival with a full house and an audience buzzing with energy. Four incredibly strong improv shows and troupes took the stage: La Carpe Haute, Werewolves: The Improv Show, Bonnie & Clyde, and Le Noir.
La Carpe Haute
La Carpe Haute is a professional improv troupe from France who has toured the world in pursuit of inducing laughter. Last night, they performed a show called Just Play, which is when they borrow objects from the audience. They then use these objects to spark inspiration in their scenes. Last night’s objects were a motorcycle helmet, cowboy hat, iron, and hamburger key chain!
Werewolves: The Improv Show
Werewolves: The Improv Show➝ is a fun take on the popular party game Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow. As the stories unfold, the host pulls the audience into the action and asks them to vote on who they think the werewolves are. And if you’re wrong, you’ll “kill off” an innocent resident of Miller’s Hollow, leaving the real werewolves in play. This is an incredible show that you’ll remember for a long time to come.
Bonnie & Clyde
Bonnie & Clyde is a mixer team led by Gosia-Rozalska. Mixer teams are basically made up of improvisers from all around the world. In these types of mixers, it’s often the case that some of the improvisers never even meet before performing a show together, which brings a super fun energy to the stage!
Le Noir
Le Noir is an experimental improv concept that you have to hear to believe! And the reason for that is that this group encourages you to close your eyes for the duration of their show. Due to the lack of sight, the group relies on soundscapes in order to transport the audience into new worlds. This is another strong mixer team led by the talented Keng-Sam Chane Chick Té.
About Barcelona Improv Group
Barcelona Improv Group has been bringing improv to the city since 2011, with regular courses, jams, and shows in the heart of Barcelona. They also offer improv-based team-building and creativity workshops for corporations and professionals.
What to Know Before You Go
While the BIG IF 5 Barcelona Improv Festival is no longer running, you can now check out the BIG Sing Musical Improv Festival➝ instead. This multi-day festival features musical improv workshops and shows throughout Barcelona.
* A special thanks to BIG IF 5 for inviting Theatre Trip to the festival!
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Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip and the author of The Thespian’s Bucket List. She is also the creator of The Cast Album List. Her background includes a BA in Theatre, a TESOL Drama certificate, and professional experience in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
