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Illustration of improv students learning the Harold in an advanced improv class in London

Level 4: The Harold

The form that started it all! The FA’s level 4 improv course teaches you how to apply everything you’ve learnt so far to the famous improv format ‘The Harold’

Course Overview

This level teaches The FA's approach to the Harold structure. It applies all the skills and techniques covered in previous courses to the Harold format.

The Harold, first created by improv Pioneer Del Close, and made famous by UCB in America, is a satisfying and hilarious 3 beat structure which incorporates premise scenes, game, heightening, exploration, and reincorporation.

By learning the Harold you’ll improve your comedic improv confidence, and gain skills that you can take away to apply to any and all improv formats.

After passing this course you can apply for our annual house Harold Team auditions. This course culminates in a public class show!

The FA’s Level 3 class is a prerequisite for this course. It is not possible to join this improv class with experience from other theatres.

Learning Objectives

  • Learn how to perform the the Harold improv form from start to finish

  • Practise initiating simple premise first beat scenes

  • Learn how to heighten your first beat game into a second beat

  • Perform in Group Games with a focus on playing supportively and productively

  • Learn about connections and reincorporation in improv shows

  • Learn about tags and blowing out the world of the scene

Jump to Level…

Our Level 4 Teachers

  • Free Association London Improv Trainer Naomi Petersen

    Naomi Petersen

  • Free Association London Improv Trainer Luke Healy

    Luke Healy

  • Free Association London Improv Trainer Chris Gau

    Chris Gau

  • Free Association London Improv Trainer Charlie Sturgeon

    Charlie Sturgeon

  • Free Association London Improv Trainer Graham Dickson

    Graham Dickson

  • Free Association London Improv Trainer Sophia Broido

    Sophia Broido

  • Free Association London Improv Trainer Alex Holland

    Alex Holland

  • Free Association London Improv Trainer Laura Riseborough

    Laura Riseborough

  • Free Association London Improv Trainer Katherine Bennett-Fox

    Katharine Bennett-Fox

  • Free Association London Improv Trainer Jonathan Broke

    Jonathan Broke

  • Free Association London Improv Trainer Charlie Kemp

    Charlie Kemp

  • Free Association London Improv Trainer David Elms

    David Elms

Venues

We deliver courses from our own venues, and other spaces across London. Please always check the location of your class when booking! Our most regular class venues are listed below!

Boy showing locations of improv venues in London

Haggerston

Haggerston 2

Euston

The Old Diorama Arts Centre

📍 Regent's Place, 201 Drummond St, NW1 3FE

Seven Sisters

Camden

Above The Lord Stanley

📍 51 Camden Park Road, NW1 9BH

Kings Cross

The Shaw Theatre

📍100-110 Euston Rd, London NW1 2AJ

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Upcoming Weekly Courses

Upcoming Intensive Courses

  • Absolutely. On checkout there wil be an option to pay a 25% deposit payment. The remainder of the course fee is due before the start of class.

  • Our courses are taught by individuals with a wealth of experience performing in the FA’s unique style.

    The Free Association's training is formulated around the FA syllabus - a huge (ever growing) book, meticulously written and structured in order to help you learn everything from the fundamentals of long-form improv through to advanced moves, forms and techniques… all while staying true to the FA’s unique style.

    Whilst all our trainers bring unique experience and expertise to their lessons, they all know our style and syllabus inside out, so your improv education will be the same regardless of who is running your class.

  • This is an advanced class. We recommend you start with Intro to Long-form Improv. This is our beginners improv class, and doesn’t require any experience.

  • The FA’s Level 3 improv training is a pre-requisite for this course. If you have previous experience - please contact us on hello@thefreeassociation.co.uk to check where you should start.

  • FA training pushes you to become a better improviser through structured courses, notes and feedback. Our teaching has been developed around a core theory and approach to improv comedy that we build upon through each class of our courses, taking you from fundamentals up to more advanced comedic techniques.

    Our teachers are encouraging and supportive of learning new skills but also will give personalised notes to help you identify areas you can work on to develop further.

Man shouting at improv training FAQ

The next level is…

Advanced Show Work

Students in advanced London improv class