If there is one thing that fascinates me about improv and that is how it is portrayed in Television, books and Film. This is becoming more and more apparent in recent years because the comedy art form is sort of in fashion. There are some interesting topics that we can gain from these ways they are displayed so every so often we are going to look at different scenes from different shows, podcasts and films.

Back in Christmas 2024, BBC Four showed one old episode of Noel’s House Party. I loved it as a kid but I had never seen it as an adult. I was under five when it first came around so I don’t remember much about it but I know I loved watching it as an adult is bizarre but I really enjoyed it and ended up watching more episodes via YouTube.

There is so much we can learn from the show (and a lot you will recognise is similar to what Ant and Dec did years later…) that can inspire the way that we do improv.

+ Lean into the madness

Whilst the show is scripted, there are parts of it that are clearly improvised. The erratic feel of the show makes it great and something we can embrace and bring to improv. A very fast paced show keeps both the audience and the players on their toes whilst also feeling like a lot is happening in a short time.

+ Audience Participation

A great thing about Noel’s House Party is the audience participation – some where the audience knows they are part of it such as Wait Till I Get You Home and then a lot where it is a surprise such as NTV. Whilst these ideas may not work for improv, it can be fun to see what it can inspire new ways to interact with the audience within your own show.

+ Extra Guests

The one thing that is really fun about this show is that there are so many surprise guests that appear out of nowhere for short skits. Whilst this many not be possible in your show, think how you can utilise your players and maybe use them for surprise cameos – maybe have one sit in the audience pretending they are not part of the show until they eel they should appear!

It may be thirty odd years old but Noel’s House Party still comes across as fun and complete madness, It is a shame the show ended.

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