Looking for some quick and easy entertainment in Barcelona? Improvisational theatre – or improv – could be just the ticket. Or, if you like being up on stage, you could give it a try yourself!
Improv is a form of theatre in which most or all of what is performed is unplanned or unscripted, created spontaneously by the performers. It is a lot of fun to watch – and can be great fun to participate in too!
Barcelona has a thriving improv community, offering both long-form and short-form shows. Long-form shows are like watching an unscripted play, whereas short-form improv usually consists of a series of games that performers participate in (for British readers, think Whose Line Is It Anyway?)
It is possible to see an improv show in Barcelona just about any day of the week. There are also countless improv jams that take place through the city. This is where you can try out improv for yourself.
Below we have listed some of the top venues in the city for exploring the magical world of improv.
BCN Studio: Watch This Space
Watch This Space is a popular improv jam that has been taking place in Barcelona for several years, and has just found a permanent home at the BCN Studio.
City Trail attended the opening night on October 9 and it was a lot of fun – plenty of improv games being played, and opportunities to jump up on stage if you so want (no obligation, though, of course!)
The audience on that first night was pretty small, but it may have been that the regular attendees of Watch This Space just needed a bit more time to adjust to the new home.
Since then, audience figures have been steadily picking up, and it looks as though the new Watch This Space is going to be a great success.
The venue, which the team has been working on all summer to get ready, is certainly the perfect place to hold an improv jam: warm, welcoming and intimate.
The BCN Studio has a bar, too, but only soft drinks are available for now. They’re currently working on getting an alcohol license, though, so expect to be able to drink something mas fuerte shortly.
The format that the organisers are going for right now is a two-part show. The first part of the show is where you get to watch experienced improvers strutting their stuff. The second is where you get to try the games out for yourself. Absolutely no experience is necessary. If it’s your first time, so much the better.
Website: www.thebcnstudio.com
Address: The BCN Studio, C/ d’Elkano, 26 – 1A, Barcelona
Time: Every Wednesday, 20:00 to 22:30 (doors open 19:30)
Cost: €5.00
The Comedy Clubhouse: Typical Adult Behaviour
The Comedy Clubhouse is not that big on improv these days (it’s mostly standups that draws in the crowds).
Still, there is one improv show that is worth checking out: Typical Adult Behaviour.
With a talented crew of seasoned improvers, I’ve never attended a performance that just hasn’t been raucously funny.
TAB, as the group is affectionately known as, usually combine a series of improv games with occasional long-form stuff, although they tend to tweak the format quite a bit so ultimately there’s no knowing what you get. Which is, of course, the whole point of improv!
Regardless of what you ultimately get served up, an evening spent watching TAB is always a lot of fun. The group work really hard at their art, as well, and this really shows in their performance. While the performers are up on stage, there will be one lurking in the audience, scribbling down notes and ready to give feedback to their team members when the show is done.
You don’t get to go up on stage with this one, but the Comedy Clubhouse also organises free Sunday workshops for anyone who wants to give improv a go.
Don’t expect super professional teaching in these workshops, though. The people conducting the workshop change all the time. Some are really good, but most are not dedicated improv teachers; they are simply people who enjoy improv and want to try their hand at imparting the art upon other people. Nonetheless, it’s still great to attend these workshops if you want to get a bit of practice in.
Website: https://thecomedyclubhouse.es
Address: Carrer dels Canvis Nous, 10, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona
Time: TAB – Every Thursday, 20:00 to 21:45; Workshop – Every Sunday, 15:00 to 17:00
Cost: TAB – €8.00 (if bought online); Workshop – free (though tips are appreciated)
Barcelona Improv Group
If you want to find an organisation that is totally dedicated to nothing else but the art of improv, then look no further than the Barcelona Improv Group – affectionately known as BIG.
BIG runs regular improv courses and workshops, and puts on shows just about every day. If you are obsessed about improv, then you definitely need to be in the BIG circle!
The standard of teaching at BIG is exceptionally high, and there is a huge range of courses to choose from – from total beginners to the extremely experienced. Each course is usually for a maximum of 12 people and lasts between six and 12 weeks.
One word of caution. Courses do fill up extremely quickly, so you really need to be quick on the response button as soon as new applications open up, otherwise you’ll be put on the waiting list.
BIG also runs Sunday improv workshops, which are beginner friendly, in case you want to dip your toe in the waters prior to signing up for a full course.
Other events are also organised at BIG, too, such as the Improv Book Club. Check their website for full details.
Website: https://www.barcelonaimprovgroup.com
Address: C/ Comte Borrell 143, 08015
Time: Shows, workshops and classes throughout the week – check website for details; beginner-friendly workshop on Sundays
Cost: Courses and shows – varies, check website for details; Sunday workshop – €10.00
TBC Improv
This is a relatively new addition to Barcelona’s improv scene.
The organisation is run mostly as a Meetup Group at the moment, but it’s still good to get involved if you join improv.
Jams are held every month, usually on the last Monday of the month. Regular workshops and courses are also organised – check the Meetup Group’s page for further details.
Meetup link: https://www.meetup.com/improv-barcelona/
Address: Teatre de l’Enjòlit
Time: Varies; monthly workshop starts at 8:00pm
Cost: Varies; monthly workshop – €5.00
Tinta Roja
And for those that what experience improv in Spanish, there is Tinta Roja.
Their schedule can be a bit variable so it is worth checking their website for the latest news. They put on improv shows and run regular improv jams.
Website: https://www.tinta-roja.cat/es/espectaculos
Address: C/ Creu dels Molers, 17
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
