LiF: A Post-Pandemic Initiative
Established in 2022, LiF (Liverpool Improvisation Festival) held its inaugural event in April 2023. We emerged in a post-pandemic landscape aiming to reignite the love for improvisation within the Liverpool community and the wider region.
The pandemic undoubtedly impacted the local improvisation scene. While some companies and troupes sadly disbanded, it's important to acknowledge the positive aspects that arose. Online spaces fostered the creation of new groups, and access to international teachers became readily available – a silver lining during a challenging time.
Why a Festival?
The region boasts a vibrant live performance scene with music, theatre, dance, opera, stand-up comedy, and much more. To rise above this crowded space, we recognised the power of a festival format. Strength in numbers allows us to make a bigger impact.
Improvisation thrives in live settings across the UK, yet it rarely finds a home in traditional theatres. This project directly addresses that gap. By bringing improvised performances to a theatre environment, we provide artists and companies with additional resources they might not have access to in their usual venues.
Our Vision for the Festival
Established in 2022, LiF (Liverpool Improvisation Festival) held its inaugural event in April 2023. We emerged in a post-pandemic landscape aiming to reignite the love for improvisation within the Liverpool community and the wider region.
The pandemic undoubtedly impacted the local improvisation scene. While some companies and troupes sadly disbanded, it's important to acknowledge the positive aspects that arose. Online spaces fostered the creation of new groups, and access to international teachers became readily available – a silver lining during a challenging time.
Why a Festival?
The region boasts a vibrant live performance scene with music, theatre, dance, opera, stand-up comedy, and much more. To rise above this crowded space, we recognised the power of a festival format. Strength in numbers allows us to make a bigger impact.
Improvisation thrives in live settings across the UK, yet it rarely finds a home in traditional theatres. This project directly addresses that gap. By bringing improvised performances to a theatre environment, we provide artists and companies with additional resources they might not have access to in their usual venues.
Our Vision for the Festival
- Inclusivity: We aim to showcase the full spectrum of the improvisation community, featuring both established artists/companies and exciting newcomers.
- Global Reach: The festival will celebrate the diverse world of improvisation, highlighting local, regional, national, and even international talent.
- Broadening Horizons: We welcome artists and companies that push the boundaries of what improvisation can be, even those that don't fit the traditional mould.
- Interactive Learning: Workshops will provide a platform for artists to share their expertise and for participants to experience current improvisation practices.
- Preserving the Legacy: We will document the festival's performances and make them freely accessible, creating a valuable resource for researchers and future generations of improvisers.
Mark Smith
Mark is a multi-award-winning actor and director and has worked for over twenty-five years as a professional devisor, director, improviser, storyteller and workshop facilitator. He brings a wealth of knowledge in developing stories for the stage and he loves making things up spontaneously. His PhD is based on these very subjects.
Mark toured nationally and internationally (2004-2014) with the long form show called Hoof! Since then, he has developed numerous long form improv shows on behalf of Wing It – Impro & Stories
Mark runs workshops in improv and in storytelling. Mark set up / curated the first two editions of Liverpool improvisation festival which ran in April 2023/24 at the Unity theatre, Liverpool. Follow Mark on Instagram @wing_it-Impro X / twitter @wingimpro |