Lyon is a city of many facets. Whether for the young or the old, its cultural activity overflows from January to December and from morning to night. The proof is in the Improvidence theater, which has been putting on shows based on improvisation for the past 10 years.
Improvisation, the theater’s showstopper
The technique of improvisation “on stage” is as old as the hills. It’s already found in certain Greek tragedies, as well as in 16th-century commedia dell’arte in Italy. What’s the magic in all this? In 2024 , the rules remain unchanged. GPT cat or no GPT cat, comedians must use their creativity alone. And that’s where the pleasure comes in, because the audience’s expectations are at their highest. The audience is left begging for more, because the result is nothing short of exhilarating.
10 years of L’Improvidence in 10 plays
L’Improvidence, the first theater devoted entirely to improvisation, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a special program. To mark this decade, the theater is showcasing a number of performances that have marked its history. Each show illustrates theatrical improvisation in its own way.
Audiences will be able to (re)discover “Mon Pote”, an improvisation about friendship, in which friends ready for anything support each other in the most incredible situations. “Bio”, the famous creation by the Eux company, improvises the biography of an unknown hero through flashbacks, eccentric characters and surprising anecdotes, and “Senflix”, an improvised platform that creates a unique live series, performed just once. Find the full program here.
Founded in 2014 in Lyon, L’Improvidence is the first theater in France devoted entirely to improvisation. Building on its success, a second establishment opened in Bordeaux in 2018, with the same mission: to provide a place for artists and audiences to create and express themselves. In addition to shows, L’Improvidence offers training courses and workshops for companies, with the aim of stimulating creativity and listening skills.
And what about the audience?
It’s the sinews of war! The audience plays a fundamental role in the performance. Indeed, the actors’ talent lies in their ability to bounce off the audience’s reactions. Every time, the play is unique, and that’s undoubtedly where the magic of theater comes into play…
Location: 6 Rue Chaponnay, 69003 Lyon
Date: several dates available