Hoopla Impro

Founding (January 2006)

Steve Roe and Edgar Fernando, childhood friends, founded Hoopla in January 2006 alongside early performers Rakesh Mistry and Joel Butler. What began as a free weekly workshop after work for GCSE drama school friends grew by word of mouth. The first public shows were held monthly at The Bedford in Balham, South London, for the first year.

Growth and Expansion

From The Bedford, Hoopla grew into the UK's largest improv company by student volume, relocating shows to The Miller at London Bridge in 2010. The company now runs shows five nights per week featuring companies from across the world, and operates across multiple London venues without a single permanent home.

London Improv Festival

In 2019, Hoopla launched its own annual London Improv Festival, which has grown into a significant event in the UK improv calendar.

Claims and Context

Hoopla describes itself as the first and longest-running improv theatre in the UK. This claim refers specifically to a dedicated improv training company rather than a performing troupe, as the Comedy Store Players predate Hoopla by over 20 years.

Hoopla Impro is London's largest improv training company by student volume, built from a 2006 pub workshop into a five-night-a-week operation producing the annual London Improv Festival.