The LIP, the Ligue d’improvisation théâtrale professionnelle Wallonie-Bruxelles, has been bringing theatrical spontaneity to a broad audience since its creation in 2012. The new season of theatre sports kicks off in January at the Marni and Mercelis theatres in Ixelles.
Agnès Calvache, an improviser in the company and head of communication at the LIP, explains:
“Improvisation, contrary to what the audience often thinks, is the result of regular practice. The actors come together in workshops to develop their imagination, trust, and group cohesion. Improvisation needs to be trained… Reflexes must be sharpened. Observing and listening are the cornerstones of improv. Without these, it easily turns into a one-man or one-woman show.”
The LIP consists of about forty members aged 26 to 50, primarily from Brussels and Wallonia. Agnès smiles and says, “I think of us as big kids playing in a schoolyard.” Beyond entertainment, improvisation is also a powerful tool. The actors work with children, teenagers, and adults. “We help people who need to speak in public, such as lawyers or teachers. We work on building self-confidence and responsiveness.”
Agnès recalls Régis, a shy teenager with a slouched posture who struggled to find his place because he was tall and strong for his age. “Régis wasn’t engaged at school or at home; he gave off an air of indifference. It turned out that Régis had real theatrical talent. Thanks to improv, he gradually opened up to others, who came to appreciate his sense of humor. He found the courage to speak up and discovered his place in the group. His mother came to thank me in tears at the end of the workshop series because her son had changed so positively. That’s what improv does: it plants small seeds of self-confidence.”
In Ixelles, the LIP organizes theatre sports, where instinct takes center stage. Two teams of three actors face off in a friendly atmosphere. A referee sets the framework and enforces the rules of the performance. The themes are prepared in advance and known only to the referee. Two assistant referees, a master of ceremonies, and a musician complete the team, creating an engaging atmosphere on stage and in the audience.
Agnès shares: “Even after 20 years, I still get stage fright before a performance because you never know what’s going to happen. You can’t rely on a memorized script; there’s always an element of uncertainty. But as soon as you step on stage, the adrenaline kicks in, and you know you’re in the right place at the right time. Improvisation has helped me personally in so many ways. At 18, I was shy. Improv taught me how to take risks and let go when needed.”
She also notes the positive evolution of women’s roles in the sector. “In the early days, roles were often stereotypical. Women frequently played secondary roles, like the housewife/mother or mistress/prostitute. Since the #MeToo movement, a lot has changed.” Today, there is much greater inclusivity in improv. The LIP aims to create a “safe space” on stage, where everyone can perform in an emotionally and physically safe environment.
From January to April 2025, Ixelles will be the LIP’s home base. In addition to theatre sports, other formats will be offered, including interactive Impro Kids (for children aged 5 and up) and “Armando,” an improv show based on true anecdotes shared by guests from the media world.
“Ixelles has supported us from the start. The LIP even has its headquarters there. The municipality is centrally located and easily accessible by public transport for both the audience and the actors. We feel at home here.”
Don’t miss the chance to see Agnès and her colleagues on stage from January 12 to May 26, 2025, at Théâtre Marni and Théâtre Mercelis!
More info and program details: https://impro-lip.be/
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