It is the new year which only means one thing, it is time to celebrate acts that you should be keeping an eye on this year! Today we find out all about the time travel improv talk show called The Temporal Talk Show.

Hello tell us all about your improv troupe?

The Temporal Talk Show is a time travel based talk show. Imagine the Graham Norton Show mashed with Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. We take 3 audience suggestions of guests dead or alive, use a time machine to pull them out of time, and interview them all together.

Our previous show’s line up was Ellen Pompeo (c2045) , Dolly Parton (c1981), and Harrison Ford (c1990). 

In rehearsals we’ve seen Meatloaf help Arnold Schwarzenegger serenade Cleopatra, and King Arthur try to recruit Jason Statham and Brian Blessed to the round table. 

The team is made up of ~10 players, but as there are usually only 4 people per show, not everyone has had the chance to get on stage yet. 

How did your troupe come about?

After experiencing a couple of improv projects fall apart thanks due to what I can only describe as “too much democracy” and “overbearing group admin”, I wanted to do a project that started with a show idea, and direct it myself.

The idea for TTS had been floating around in my head for a while, so I thought why not just try advertising and doing some auditions, and see what happens? 

What happened was a large response from some very talented improvisers, which surprised and humbled me. Now I’ve just got to get these folks on stage. 

How was 2023 for you?

Personally, a busy, up and down year, with a stand up course rearranged in the middle of it that threw my plans in the air. 

For the show, a busy middle of the year running auditions, a slow summer and autumn, and then 2 shows. 

How did you get into improv?

I must have heard about it on a podcast, or perhaps a parks and rec cast member talking about it, so decided to try it out in 2019.

I did some classes with Imran Mirza at Awkward Actors in Oxford, then started Hoopla level 1 at the beginning of 2020 with Rory Vierya. 

During lockdown I did lots of online courses, and even ran a narrative workshop called 100% Storytime. After lockdown ended I did the rest of the Hoopla levels and here we are. 

What was the top 3 highlights for you?

Of the year? the Hoopla Story course and show with Steve Roe, an excellent stand up course she show with Logan Murray, and actually putting on an Improv show of my own. 

What was the key lesson you learnt from last year?

Auditioning and running your own show is a complex business and come with a surprising weight of responsibility. 

What are your plans improv wise for 2024?

Try to get The Temporal Task Show bedded down, and some regular performance slots. 

What other improv acts are you looking forward to seeing perform online or in person to this year?

I have two improv friends in the show “Lost the Plot” so I’m hoping to see that soon.

I love the look of Bulletproof from the Hotel Michelle folks. 

What styles do you hope to see more of in improv this year?

TJ and Dave did a workshop in London this year, which I missed out on, but as a fan, I hope to see more of that slow, real, no-crisis style character work come through. 

What improv troupe is your ones to watch in 2024 and why?

There’s a show called Christopher’s Guests that I saw at Hoopla Marathon that looks like a great format, and I understand has come out of a Chris Mead course. 

Do you have any new years resolutions? If so what are they?

I’d love to, but I’d just forget them! 

Are you on social media? If so how can people find out more about your troupe?

@thetemporaltalkshow on Instagram 

https://www.thetemporaltalk.show/ is the website. 

Three words why people should come and see you this year?

Time-machine, chat, silliness.