“Astonishingly brilliant troupe... comedic genius on the spot.”
“*****
Devastatingly funny, light-hearted and thoroughly enjoyable, I didn’t want it to end.”
“*****
Dynamic and talented”
“*****
Uniquely hilarious”
“*****
This is the best improvised comedy I have ever had the pleasure to witness”
The Imps are a mainstay of the Oxford comedy scene, and have put on regular shows since 2004. The lineup comprises a happy mix of students and residents from in and around Oxford, UK, who perform improvised comedy similar to Whose Line Is It Anyway?
We mix short-form and long-form improv; you can expect anything from scenes, songs, Shakespeare, musicals. raps and much more... all made up on the spot!
We perform our weekly Monday shows at the Jericho Tavern, Walton Street, during University of Oxford term time. Doors open at 7:30pm, show starts at 8:00pm.
IMPORTANT INFO FOR 2026: The Jericho Tavern is having a facelift, and the Imps will be performing at another venue in Oxford (TBC) on 12th, 19th and 26th October. We will be back at the Jericho Tavern on Monday 2nd November for the rest of term.
The Oxford Imps perform at The Jericho Tavern. Shows are every Monday at 8pm in Oxford University term time.
We’ll be back performing in Oxford from October 2026.
Tickets available soon - we’ll see you there!
You name it, we've done it! We perform at arts festivals, comedy nights, and college balls across the country. We also have spin-off week long shows, and run workshops.
We’ve toured France, the USA, South Africa, the Netherlands and Bosnia. Every summer we perform daily at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival - watch this space for updates in 2027!
Who knows where we're headed next?!
We host at least 2 FREE access improv workshops during the year: One for women + non-binary people, and another for people of colour + global majorities! The workshops will be led by people of the respective groups.
Join us at Old Fire Station for a fun, relaxed introduction to improv. We’ll introduce basic improv principles, play games, and build your confidence in scene-making.
The Imps will make it a comfortable and safe environment for you to try something new, and, most importantly, HAVE FUN! Places are FREE but booking is essential.
PEOPLE OF COLOUR AND GLOBAL MAJORITIES: SATURDAY 10TH OCTOBER 2026, 1-3PM, OLD FIRE STATION OXFORD
WOMEN AND NON-BINARY PEOPLE: SUNDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2026, 1-3PM, OLD FIRE STATION OXFORD
Our auditions for 2026/27 will be held on Wednesday 14th October and Thursday 15th October at the at the Wesley Memorial Church, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford, OX1 2DH. Callbacks will be held on Friday 18th October, also at the Wesley Memorial Church.
You don't need to prepare anything, and you don't need any experience! Even if you've never done improv before, we want to see you!
There's no need to book a slot – just turn up at one of the times below and bring yourself, some water and bags of enthusiasm. Wesley Memorial Church is wheelchair accessible. If you have any accessibility requirements or other queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Wednesday 14th October - 6:30pm - 8pm OR 8:30pm - 10pm
Thursday 15th October - 6:30pm - 8pm OR 8:30pm - 10pm
You only need to attend ONE of the slots on ONE of these days. Callbacks will be in the evening on Friday 16th October, so please keep this evening free!
Please arrive 15 mins before your chosen timeslot to fill out your contact details and chat to a few of our Imps.
We hold open auditions once a year for stage performers. Absolutely anyone can audition - anyone! Students, locals, whatever age, whatever experience.
We hold group auditions in which we play a few fun games with all of you and encourage you to feel as relaxed and as comfortable as possible. We are proud of how unintimidating our auditions are.
We look for performers who support others on stage, who are committed to what happens on stage, and who want to have fun. It is surprising how much further qualities like this will go in the auditions, as opposed to wittiness or an ability for gags. We think good improv comes from a good team, and we look for team members in our auditions.
Just as the comedy is improvised, so too is the tech and piano. We welcome anyone to audition who feels confident they can improvise music and tech for live performances.
Our auditions for 2026/27 will be held on Saturday 10th October from 2-5pm at Merton College, Oxford.
For musicians, the audition involves improvised piano playing while some stage Imps perform. The stage Imps' work is to provide the action, your music can be expected to underscore, support and enhance the scene.
For tech Imps, the audition is an informal meeting to discuss your previous experience (if any– experience is not expected!).
We’re one of the best-run theatre companies in Oxford, and that takes a lot of help. Front-of-house and production positions can be available year-round. If you’re looking for front-of-house opportunities, email us.
Tech, music, and front-of-house, production Imps are all vital to the company and we are always on the lookout to increase our Fam-IMP-ly!
You can book us for public or private events, and we are always open to ideas for interesting collaboration opportunities. We run team building sessions and workshops for groups of all ages and abilities, either for fun or for skills like public speaking, teamwork or creativity. Here are a few things we've done in the past:
Corporate entertainment
Confidence & public speaking workshops
Online shows and workshops
Murder mysteries
After dinner entertainment
Hen-dos / weddings
Guerrilla Shakespeare performers
Animals and moving trees at an Alice in Wonderland party
French revolutionaries at an Oxford ball
Living statues at a Roman-themed soirée
Late night adventure-tour guides in the Ashmolean Museum
Animation voice-actors
Let us know what you’d like to organise, and we can work with you to make it happen.
Use this form to send us questions about auditions, hiring the Imps, reviewing shows, group bookings, or any other general queries.
