The Oxford Imps are what you might expect from your standard university improv show.
A good time out for a family
This returning troupe put on one hour of comedy improv games and exercises for the entertainment of a generally family-based audience. Each game was run by a different cast member, who would begin by asking the audience for suggestions, such as a place, name, object, or situation.
With five cast members – ‘Imps’ – on the stage, one techie and one pianist, this comes across as a fairly typical improv show. We got to see an entertaining and humorous version of Party Hoppers where one cast member has to work out what the other cast member's character trait or name was. Although, taking longer than usual to figure out, we were kept entertained and they made some smart links to help out the guesser. There was also a game where, every time a new cast member joined the stage, the scene was required to change. The cast are fairly quick on their feet and during these games didn't hesitate to jump into the action.
The cast stay stoically professional and work with the audience well, although in this performance they were working with fairly sparse material. The singing section of the improv was somewhat jolty - it appeared to be much less polished than the rest of the show and didn’t encourage enough laughs to make the slightly awkward stumble-through worthwhile. One of the stronger songs they attempted was when both cast members playing this game sung together, suggested by an audience member, their song on AI was far more entertaining as they had the chance to work with each other instead of on their own.
The Imps themselves are charismatic and fun, with an excitable energy and impressive enthusiasm, which is greatly appreciated. The highlight of the hour was the ending game, where one of the Imps gave a monologue that would be the inspiration for the next ten minutes of improvisation. Seeing all five Imps working together and thinking up very quick and funny sketches on the spot saw all of them in their element more so than the other games.
They attempt to get the entire audience involved and work well with the children who attended. Overall, this is a good time out for a family who wish to see a personable and extensively enthusiastic improv show, but there was not much new in the format.
