Impro planet: “There are millions of stories, and we want to discover them all”

“Fun, excite and surprise” is the motto of Impro planetstage animals, ideas generators and stories hunters that the audience have as gasoline and inspiration. We talk to its director, José L. Adseríaswho tells us that he began to devote himself to this theatrical genre seventeen years ago, when he came in contact with the match French improvisation through a theatrical director who spoke to him. After investigating the subject, he created a company with classmates and, as a result of his dissolution three years later, founded Planeta Impro. The group has been presenting their shows for 20 years at the Teatreneu, where he usually fills the room where he is established.

José L. Adserías

Barcelona Theater: How is an improvisation show created?

José L. Adserías: The dramaturgy is worked out: what suggestions we will ask the public to inspire us, if it will be a linear plot or three stories that are linked … For example, we can decide that we will start three stories and that at some point they will have to be found, or there will be monologues. Organize some elements and make a structure. But before you start, you do not know what characters or what places will appear.

Do you have a trick or resource to resort if you are inspired?

The technique. There is a lot of work behind, a lot of training. The technique gives you solidity in what you do: it consists of being very clear about the engines that the stories generate and know how to attend to develop them. You are watching where you are and what sense does what you are doing. As an actor, I interpret it; As a writer, I make sense; And then, as a director, I put my opinion on it (river).

“The acting improvisation of theatrical improvisation is different”

It is a deconstruction of drama that can also be useful to other theatrical genres.

Yes, in fact, many montages are based on improvisations from the actors. But here the technique is different. The acting improvisation of theatrical improvisation is different, where the tools are designed so that you can do it in front of the audience. But yes, it would be very useful. Imagine!

One of the key factors is interaction with the public.

In all shows, even in long formats, we ask for something to the public, even if it is only a word. It will be the inspiration of everything that will happen. Whatever. They can say “banana”, and from here you do a work. It is curious how, from a single word, connections can be generated and an entire show.

And in some works they even participate on the stage. How does this interaction change the experience of the public?

The audience feels complicit in what is happening on stage, and they thank this. They know that he is unique, he comes from his proposal. Into Impro Show We play games with written sentences, and people are delighted when they read their own. They discover that they really influence what is happening on stage.

Can you tell us some anecdote?

There was a Brazilian who lived in Barcelona for three years and, before moving to Australia, thanked the city as he had welcomed it. Because one of the places where it had most fun was Impro Showreleased balloons throughout the city with a letter inside. People came to us with the letter in hand, where he said to those who wanted to share this show, because he had laughed here.

A faithful viewer!

And so much! There are many who repeat.

How is your audience?

Well, right now, very varied. At Planeta Impro we work with three goals: fun, surprise and excite. We see people from the age of 12 to 80, sometimes whole families. Young people may have fun, and an elderly person too, but they will otherwise live the moments of emotion. Because we tell stories, and we want them to reach the viewer.

Each age finds something different.

The 11 -year -old boys feel that they participate in big things, because when we ask for titles, the phrases that come out are theirs … (river) The youngest are more gamberros, put sexual sentences or any madness that goes through their heads. And it’s great. When there are many to the public, it is noticeable in the show … Although the theme of sex is transversal, because sometimes ladies come after the work and they tell me (imitates Grandma’s voice): “This phrase was mine …” Fun unites them, and each one fills with what we can offer.

Finally, seek to surprise.

Yes, because you never know where we will go. And then they tell us that it cannot be, that this must be prepared, but no! No trap or cartoneverything is improvised.

“The improvisation technique is very beautiful because it is based on the cooperation between ideas”

Everything is technical!

The improvisation technique is very beautiful because it is based on the cooperation between ideas. It is based on the fact that, to cooperate with the idea of another, you have to learn to abort yours. It is not a matter of my idea to succeed, but of how I grow yours. If you are on stage with an idea, I have to generate suggestions that will serve you, leaving aside the ones it had. It is the art of aborting stories: the more you go through it, the more you give to those of your classmates.

20 years ago you created Planet Impro and 17 you are at the Teatreneu. How do you survive so many years in a theater?

Uff! With excitement. We love what we do. I have been improvising for more than 20 years and I still passionate. I do not cease to amaze me: to improvise, you must surprise and not judge the audience. The public gives what they can; Sometimes it is more or less suggestive, but our job is to make gold with what they give us! ((river) And make a good story. Don’t get tired, because it’s always different, even in thematic shows like Impro Horror Show or Impro Summer Show. Maybe there are five stories of wolf men but just like Underground is not the same as An American wolf man in Londonyou find your movie and play with that.

The most beautiful thing is that you are always discovering. Reality always surpasses fiction. With all and years I have been, I still feel that there are millions of stories that I have not discovered. And I want to continue discovering them. That’s why I don’t get tired. And that is why the audience repeats. I always say in joking that people come back to check if we really improvise. And when they see yes … they stick. They know they come to a safe bet.

More information, pictures and entries at:

Text: Neus Riba