Last night, our writer Shem Pennant from C3? Was lucky enough to be at the 20 years of Harold event at UCB in New York. He was reporting live for us on Facebook, if you were not lucky enough to read it as it was happening here is his exclusive report below.

The Harold is a long form Improv structure developed by Del Close in Chicago and brought to New York by the UCB4. UCB Chelsea is one of the best improv stages in the world (in terms of quality – it’s in a grocery store basement) and tonight they’re bringing lots of Harold performers from their 20 year history together. The line up is stacked, but it’s also been a lovely time for people to reminisce about all the wonderful things this tiny basement of make believe has meant to lots of people.

One Harold down. Scene painting opening if you care. They all shared Harold Night memories. Was weirdly touching. There have been 130 odd Harold teams and 500 ish Harold performers. Not too shabby (which is a sketch open mic at UCB LA).

Second Harold down. Amazing opening. They asked the crowd and someone yelled out “Invocation”.

“Sir what do *you* think the Invocation is?”

“Uhhhh umm you get an object and go I am, you are, thou Are and it is? And then forget about it whatever”

(This is *very* incorrect)

“Excellent. That’s the type of Invocation we’re doing”.

And they nailed it.

It’s also been great watching the old guard play with the newbies. Everyone is bang on game obviously but so many wonderful styles of play on display. It’s like a mini DCM.

Third Harold. Loose and super fun Pattern Game opening. But with so much playfulness, joy and emotion. Loads of people returning to Harold Night after 10+ year absences so there are lots of fun styles of yesteryear in play.

It’s almost 11 pm. 4th Harold just ended. A Documentary opening and some truly great scene work. There’s a fun festival vibe in the audience and people on stage are having a ball. Currently waiting on line (Yeah That’s right “on line”) for the last set of Harold’s. Sylvia from the Stepfathers is sitting on the floor taking notes all night and it’s cute.

Oh and Shannon and Atamanuik are hosting and it’s 🔥. Tony keeps threatening to do Trump and Shannon keeps threatening to strangle him.

It’s midnight. Fifth Harold has just finished. Kicked off with a super committed Sound & Movement and has one of the most playful scenes, off one of the simplest initiations I’ve seen. The whole team was sweating. But in a good way. Last Harold about to start!

Almost 1 am. Show just ended. Last team got a well deserved standing ovation. The suggestion was “lace-ups”. With no opening, Gethard (out of retirement) simply mimes tying his laces. Then everyone slowly joins, then they all tie their actual laces together, then they start a scene tied together, then Brandon edits from within to start a new scene all tied together and it basically becomes one of the best shows I’ve seen all year. I can’t describe how smart, artful, creative and funny that last set was. And the whole night. It truly raises the bar for what great improv can be. I’m very tired and have to cycle to Brooklyn but I’m forever grateful I got to witness that.