Keith Johnstone has Died

Keith Johnstone who died this week in Canada was probably one of the most influential people in British (if not world) Theatre.  He wrote the book “Impro” which became the handbook for pretty well every performer who has emerged since the 1960s. You will see the results of his work alongside that of Viola Spolin in many comedy shows you will have watched including “Whose Line Is it Anyway?” and many others.  I’m not going into his Bio here, you can find it anywhere online. But he started a theatre group in London called Theatre Machine with Ben Benison and Roddy Maude-Roxby where he developed many of his improvisational techniques. Ben Benison took these on to teach at places such as RADA and in a multitude of Summer Schools and workshops.  Which is where I learnt the Impro techniques. Keith Johnstone’s book graced every actor’s bookshelves at the time and probably still does.  My copy fell to pieces years ago, along with my acting career, but Impro still influences everything I do as a writer.  You really don’t have to be a performer to appreciate Impro. The idea that you go with the flow, block nothing and build on what you are given is good enough advice for anyone in daily life.  “You won’t achieve anything without failing.” Yes and…

Keith Johnstone by Erik van der Liet.