Lost to Life is a theatrical improv show about regular people who are just trying to cope with the situations they find themselves in. Inspired by the works of Tony Kushner (Angels in America), but newly made every evening. Expect real life and fantasy smashed together, raw and messy emotions, and maybe Meryl Streep – who can say? Content varies evening to evening, but can be sensitive.
Director: Stephen Davidson
Stephen Davidson is the Artistic Director of The Improvised Play, Improvable, QI: Queer Improv, Carmen: A gender-swapped Film Noir Fantasy, and of Zeal: The Pride Improv Festival. Stephen is the author of two books about improv, Play Like an Ally and Improvising Gender . Stephen teaches improv independently and through City Academy and Hoopla Improv. He has taught and performed all over the world, and regularly leads improv teacher training courses for theatres and schools. Stephen is also a founding member of Safe Play, a European group working to combat sexual harassment in improv, and a board member of the International Theatresports Institute.
Cast: Karolina (Karo) Kriks, Jon Nguyen, Ashara Peiris, Avril Poole, and Teresa Senyah
Karolina Kriks is an actor, voice-over artist and improviser, originally from Austria with Polish roots. She is a cast member of the improv groups “Improvable”, “3 Worlds”, “Carmen” & “Love and Misinformation” and also teaches improvisation in the form of showcase courses and drop-in classes. When not doing improvisation she can be seen in scripted plays or in front or behind the camera as actor or director. She enjoys working towards a creative vision and has recently produced her own little screen project. Fully emerging into a creative environment she also does Stand up comedy or has fun recording voice-overs.
Jon ( he/him) is a British/ Vietnamese improver based in Norwich. He has trained in improv with various companies and coaches over the years and has come to believe that Improv should be fun, connected and inclusive. He loves theatrical work and uses various theatre techniques and styles in his stage work. He has performed internationally and taught at various festivals. Jon is a part of Michelle, Dogface, Comediasians,The Maydays and The improvised play of course. Jon loves people and can always be stopped for a chat and a hug.
Ashara Peiris is an improviser from London and has been training and performing for 6 years. He has training from Hoopla Impro and The Showstoppers.
Alongside improvising his hobbies include singing in a video game choir and playing table top role-playing games.
Avril Poole is an actress, improviser and stand up. She has been performing improv for many years. She was a founder member of Upstairs Downton, who performed sell out shows at the Edinburgh Festival three years running. She is also a founder member of LadyProv who have a residency at Hoopla with their Character, Sketch and Improv night. Avril is also a member of Carmen: The Improvised Film Noir.
Teresa has been improvising for many years and has a background in acting, singing and dancing. She is a regular member of Hoopla house team ‘Michelle’ and has performed with them at the Brighton and Camden Fringe festivals as well as the Hoopla stage. Teresa has taken part in the Edinburgh Fringe and Leicester Comedy festivals with Derby-based improv group ‘Chewy improv’. She has also guest performed with ‘Do the right scene’ and ‘The playground – Breaking and Entering’. Beyond improv, Teresa performed in many amateur Dance and Drama shows raising money for charity, has written and performed in an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ adaptation at Stratford Circus, performed with the Carmel Thomas Youth Singers in ‘Joseph and his amazing technicoloured Dreamcoat’ on the West End, has been an extra in tv and film and has experience teaching Dance and Drama in the UK and US.