The Free Association launch review - strong start for improv company

It’s always good to welcome the opening of a new arts venue, and sadly it doesn’t happen too often in the current economic climate. But bucking the trend is The Free Association, an improv comedy troupe who have been plying their trade in various upstairs rooms in pubs for several years and have now found a permanent base in southeast London.

The FA was founded 11 years ago by Graham Dickson, Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez (the latter two who perform as Max and Ivan) and as well as performing it the company teaches improv – both to comics and non-professionals. Alumni of FA classes include Taskmaster star Phil Wang, performer Liz Kingsman and Ambika Mod from One Day and This Is Going to Hurt. It will continue its dual role at its new base, which has a 104-seat theatre, a classroom and a bar.

On opening night, it was a battle of wits when over two shows four teams of performers – one led by Dickson – launched the venue's live comedy programme.

In the first show the performers took an idea from the audience and ran with it, developing an everyday experience – a woman moving into her first home – and spinning an increasingly surreal tale involving a delivery man wearing various guises, the perils of flat-pack furniture, and apocalypse preppers.

The second group asked for a word from the audience, which came back as “robust”. Cue for a tale around wine-drinking, a woman selling a 125cc motorbike, conspiracy theorists and much more.

Like most improv, some scenes worked better than others, but this evening was a strong start for the company. I wish it well. 

• The Free Association is at Old Union Yard Arches, London SE1
• More comedy reviews on theartsdesk