Looking to watch the funniest improvised student Fringe show around? Enter ‘The Improverts’

One of their alumni was Archie in Balamory, need I say more?


When you think of Fringe you think of comedy.

And when you think of Edinburgh Uni you think of quickly having to come up with an answer on the spot in that tutorial because you absolutely didn’t leave the required reading until five minutes before the tutorial.

Mix those two together and what do you get? The Edinburgh Improverts of course!

For those uninitiated in the ways of The Improverts, they are the Fringe’s longest performing improvised comedy group. Performing 50 minute shows in a quick-witted, fast-paced manner, that’s guaranteed to make you laugh. Performing daily from the 5th to the 27th August at 10:55pm in the iconic Surgeons Hall, this hilarious student group is certainly a show not to be missed.

Sounds good? Well of course it does so buy your tickets here.

So, with alumni such as Archie from Balamory, Ewen MacIntosh from The Office and Maria Bamford from Arrested Development, who are the current cast and crew of The Improverts? Well, we won’t leave you in suspense any longer so without further ado meet the talented cast and crew of The Improverts!

(Oh and FYI in this context ‘Player’ just means someone acting in the show, as to whether some of these cast members are ‘players’ in the dating world I leave up to their discretion.)

Casey, Player

What’s your all time favourite play or musical?

Favourite all time show is Come From Away. I’m obsessed it’s amazing. But omg so hard to limit it to one.

What have you learned from being in The Improverts?

I’ve learned that one of my British Accents is passable and I will ride that high until I die.

Why should people come and see the show?

People should come and see the show because sometimes I do an accent that sucks and you can laugh at me.

Describe the show in three words.

Stunning. Hysterical. Cat-Friendly.

Amelia, Welfare Officer

What’s your all time favourite play or musical?

My all time favourite musical is ‘Amélie the Musical’ and NOT just because I’m a huge narcissist. It is whimsical and playful and just lovely! Just like the film.

What have you learned from being in The Improverts?

That being around people that are hilarious does not automatically make you funnier… but that it does make you a lot happier

Why should people come and see the show?

It’s literally our slogan – because it’s always different and ALWAYS funny.

Describe the show in three words.

Varied. Clever. Hysterical.

Charlie, Player

What’s your all time favourite play or musical?

I’d say it’s between Yu Gi Oh GX and Matilda.

What have you learned from being in The Improverts?

Two things stand out. The basics of quantum entanglement and the importance of simply enjoying the present moment.

Why should people come and see the show?

Because it will always be different and it will always be funny.

Describe the show in three words.

Action-packed hilarity.

Issi, Producer

What is your all time favourite play or musical?

Billy Elliot the musical. Or Matilda the musical. Basically anything that Zak has been in.

What have you learned from being in The Improverts?

Excel. Photoshop. How to spell the word ‘troupe’.

Why should people come and see the show?

Because all of the Improverts will be famous one day and then you can tell people you saw them before they were famous, which is famously the coolest thing a person can say.

Describe the show in three words.

House. Down. Boots.

Hannah, Player

What’s your all time favourite play or musical?

Wicked. I know I’m probably supposed to be writing something witty or ironic here, but I genuinely love Wicked. The song ‘For Good’ makes me cry every time.

What have you learned from being in The Improverts?

There is no situation in which an audience will think it inappropriate to suggest the word ‘dildo’.

Why should people come and see the show?

It will fill the void with giggles for at least 60 minutes. Plus, you might get to see us have to mime something with an imaginary dildo.

Describe the show in three words.

Unplanned. Silly. Dildo.

Christian, Player

What’s your all time favourite play or musical?

The President Wore Pearls episode of the Simpsons.

What have you learned from being in The Improverts?

That I’m a lover not a fighter. Like no joke I’m ride or die and I’ll run with my pack into the horizon no questions asked. I growl, I purr, I gallop, I trot, I howl, I am me. I’m literally so real. Glass half full, wine glass a half fuller am I right!

Why should people come and see the show?

Each seat in the venue is a commode.

Describe the show in three words.

A personal journey.

Reuben, Player/Director

What’s your all time favourite play or musical?

Long Day’s Journey Into Night (not the most upbeat, but there you go).

What have you learned from being in The Improverts?

I’ve learned the art of ’yes, and…’, the magic of spontaneity, the genius of the ordinary, the value of teamwork, and how to talk my way out of things (like broadly framed questions).

Why should people come and see the show?

To laugh and be merry.

Describe the show in three words.

Weird. Silly. Fun.

Ivan, Player

What’s your all time favourite play or musical?

Life Of Pi was amazing! Fully puppeteered and incredible.

What have you learned from being in The Improverts?

I learned to get used to being onstage with no plan and just relax and make something up and go with it, which is pretty scary at the beginning!

Why should people come and see the show?

It is like nothing you’ve ever seen before, both you and us have no idea what’s going to happen, but we know it’ll be funny and that’s the joy!

Describe the show in three words.

Energetic, Bouncy, Spontaneous!

Alex (Scottish), Player

What’s your all time favourite play or musical?

True West by Sam Shepard.

What have you learned from being in The Improverts?

Learned from being in Imps: The Alphabet.

Why should people come and see show?

We all need something goofy and silly in our lives, let this show be that for you!

Describe the show in three words.

Impy, provy, erty.

Sophie, Player

What’s your all time favourite play or musical?

Singing in the Rain (I live with my Nan).

What have you learned from being in The Improverts?

That I hate flyering (please come see the show).

Why should people come and see the show?

So I don’t have to flyer- JK just for a good time, bring some friends, get some drinks and have a laugh with us.

Describe the show in three words. 

Silly. Soupy. Slurpy

Alex (American), Player

What’s your all time favourite play or musical?

Les Miserables.

What have you learned from being in The Improverts?

Apparently, I still need to sing the song to understand alphabetical order.

Why should people come and see the show?

The world is tough…come hang with some nice people and laugh for an hour. You deserve it.

Describe the show in 3 words.

Worth. The. Trip.

Ruby, Assistant Producer

What’s your all time favourite play or musical?

The Sugar Syndrome by Lucy Prebble.

What have you learned from being in The Improverts?

I have learnt how much improv is about being a team – the players trust each other so much and it’s so fun to see them working together on stage to create the scenes.

Why should people come and see the show?

It’s an hour of funny, silly enjoyment! You can get involved as much or as little as you want and a good giggle is guaranteed!

Describe the show in three words.

Whacky. Silly. Fab.

Sabrina, Tech Manager

What’s your all time favourite play or musical?

Legally Blonde.

What have you learned from being in The Improverts?

For extra pizzazz always use a bit of rainbow lighting.

Why should people come and see the show?

If you’re semi-nocturnal like me, it’s on at the perfect time of day.

Describe the show in three words.

A good laugh.

Zak, Player

What’s your all time favourite play or musical?
The Play That Goes Wrong.
What have you learned from being in The Improverts?
It’s funnier if you don’t plan and just trust your instincts.
Why should people come and see the show?
You get to decide what the scenes are about, which is cool!
Describe the show in three words.
Funny people trying.
Photo credits: Rachel Duncan