Hoopla Impro

Guesting with The Krayzies at Hoopla Improv Mixer Night

I write from a smoky Thameslink train stuck at East Croydon. We are non-moving for one of two reasons: either the ongoing signal failures, or the guy in the back carriage with the massive reefer has set off the internal fire alarms. Or possibly both? [1] I just had a really fun evening at Hoopla… Read more

February 11, 2026

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by

jamesofwalsh

in

Acting, Diary, Improv, London, theatre

comedy, Hoopla Impro, Improv, London
Relationships Relationships Relationships (or: people fear he’s writing about improv again)

Saturday was the last of my performances as part of Hoopla’s rolling House Team programme, in which they stick together a bunch of promising improvisers (and, on this occasion, me), try out some new formats, and see what comes of it all. I wasn’t able to make all the sessions, which consisted a couple of… Read more

February 9, 2026

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by

jamesofwalsh

in

Acting, art, comedy, Diary

comedy, Hoopla Impro, House Team, Improv, London, Relationships, The Miller
Next Level Sketch 6th Birthday Extravaganza with Special Guests Yuriko Kotani, Luke Rollason, and Roger Prick

It is, somehow, six years since the very first Next Level Sketch, way back in January 2020, when we didn’t know what we were doing and very much didn’t know what was coming. As the world collapses around us (not our fault!), we’re in a good place in terms of running a monthly-ish alternative comedy… Read more

January 30, 2026

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by

jamesofwalsh

in

art, comedy, Diary, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy, theatre

comedy, Hoopla Impro, London, Luke Rollason, Next Level Sketch, Roger Prick, Sketch Comedy, Yuriko Kotani
Thomas Crapper and a toilet seat made from the Elgin Marbles

I’ve been up and down to London like a cockney yo-yo the past few days. Thursday: a sketch rehearsal at Theatre Deli in the city, followed by a show at Hoopla Impro in London Bridge with some visiting pals (one a big improv enthusiast) from Istanbul. Friday: an improv session with an experienced improviser, Melissa… Read more

January 26, 2026

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by

jamesofwalsh

in

art, comedy, Diary, Improv, London

Editing, Hoopla Impro, Mr Crapper, Writing
An Englishman, an Irishman, and a Scotswoman

“Don’t ruminate”, advised my teammate, Nick. Good and kind advice, but he might as well have told me not to breathe – my ADHD is of the “extremely sensitive to what people think of me” kind. So here’s what happened. I did my first improv show of the year with my troupe, Not Suitable For… Read more

January 14, 2026

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by

jamesofwalsh

in

Diary, Improv

Hoopla Impro, Not Suitable For Beebies
Next Level Sketch with Siblings, Joz Norris, Stephen Catling, Mikey Bligh-Smith – and not me!

Due to a fatality on the line, myself and fellow cast member Kat couldn’t make it up to Brighton for the show last night. I spent a weird hour at the station, surrounded by sad Arsenal fans, one crying about missing their match in the Littlewoods Cup (as I think it’s still called). Annabel Edmonds… Read more

October 30, 2025

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by

jamesofwalsh

in

comedy, Diary, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy

comedy, Hoopla Impro, Joz Norris, London, Next Level Sketch, Siblings, Sketch Comedy
Next Level Sketch Comedy with special guests Lil Wenker, Alex Bertulis-Fernandes, Verity Sharpe and Sir Kier Starmer QC

Opinion was divided on how good a show this was, in terms of our own set. For [fellow producer] Rebecca, it was an 8/10. Very good, but not in the top echelons, for which you need a room absolutely rammed full of sketch appreciators, was her view. I disagree – I think this was the… Read more

September 26, 2025

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by

jamesofwalsh

in

Acting, comedy, Diary, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy, theatre

Alex Bertulis-Fernandes, Hoopla Impro, Lil Wenker, Next Level Sketch, Next Level Sketch Comedy, Sketch Comedy, Verity Sharpe
Next Level Sketch Pride Month Special with Sam Nicoresti, Baba, Han Whyte, The Mayor & His Daughter, Dian Cathal, and Kit Loyd

Eeeee that was a very fun show. I was also very anxious during it. Lots to ponder there, especially the you-would-think contradictory nature of those opening sentences. I wasn’t hosting the show, or performing in any sketches. So why was it so stressful? My friend (and debut NLS cast member) Kat, as revealed in a… Read more

June 27, 2025

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by

jamesofwalsh

in

art, comedy, Diary, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy

comedy, Hoopla Impro, London, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy
Next Level Sketch with Soft Play Area, Luke Rollason, and The Awkward Silence

A late write up of a very enjoyable show, so please forgive the fragmented recollections as the near-distant past retreats into the fog of hearsay and memory. Something very unusual happened at the April NLS: most of our audience didn’t show up. Ticket sales were very healthy indeed, and I told all and sundry –… Read more

May 3, 2025

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by

jamesofwalsh

in

cities, comedy, Diary, Improv, London, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy

Hoopla Impro, London, Luke Rollason, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy, Soft Play, the awkward silence
Next Level Sketch with Camilla Borges, Ali Brice and Rob Duncan

Is there a link between audience size and performance quality? Laughter is a contagion, and logic suggests that a packed room = punters giving themself the permission to let go. And so: a great atmosphere, and performers raising their game accordingly. The answer, after five years of hosting alternative comedy shows, is I’m really not… Read more

February 22, 2025

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by

jamesofwalsh

in

comedy, Diary, Improv, Next Level Sketch, Sketch Comedy

Ali Brice, Camilla Borges, Hoopla Impro, London, Next Level Sketch, Rob Duncan, Sketch Comedy