For two decades, the School of Night has mesmerized audiences with their unique brand of literary improvisation. Named after Sir Walter Raleigh’s secret society, this remarkable company comprises Joseph Chance, Alan Cox, Dylan Emery, Robert Mountford, and Oliver Senton. As they celebrate their milestone anniversary, their journey stands as a testament to the power of theatrical innovation, producing some of the most extraordinary improvised performances in the UK.
The story of the School of Night begins in Liverpool in 2004, under the visionary direction of Ken Campbell. Campbell, previously the Artistic Director of the Liverpool Everyman, is fondly remembered for his work during that era. To commemorate the Everyman building’s 40th anniversary, he assembled a group for the show ‘Farting Around in Disguises,’ created in collaboration with Chris and Zoot Lynam and Josh Darcy.
Building on the success of ‘Farting Around in Disguises,’ Campbell invited three improv teams to Shakespeare’s Globe in 2005, drawing talent from Liverpool, Newcastle, and London. It was this London contingent that would become the School of Night. They premiered ‘Shall We Shog?’ at Shakespeare’s Globe, commissioned by then Artistic Director Mark Rylance to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday. This innovative show featured short-form improv games, all performed using Shakespearean language, meter, and phrasing. ‘Shall We Shog?’ marked the official birth of the School of Night. Later that year, the group performed ‘Décor Without Production’ at London’s Royal Court as part of their 50th-anniversary celebration, creating newly improvised plays inspired by the works of Pinter, Beckett, Sarah Kane, and others.
In 2006, one of the School’s founders, Adam Meggido, brought ‘In Pursuit of Cardenio’ to the Edinburgh Fringe. During this run, Ken Campbell, acting as the ‘Goader’ – a role akin to a demanding director, designed to push their creative limits – challenged the performers with diverse exercises, including poetry, song, and various literary styles. This intense period of improvisation sparked the development of ‘Showstopper! The Improvised Musical,’ conceived by Meggido, Dylan Emery, and Keith Strachan. ‘Showstopper!’ has since become a multi-award-winning production, still touring today. Furthermore, Meggido and members of the School of Night helped to introduce ‘improvathon’ to the UK: a 36-hour improvised production that ran in London until 2012, and whose influence is still evident in various improv events across the UK.
In late August 2008, the theatrical world mourned the loss of Ken Campbell. His passing prompted the School of Night to dedicate a period to celebrating his extraordinary work and lasting legacy. For those unfamiliar with Campbell, he was a true theatrical visionary, a genius whose work defied conventions. Michael Coveney’s book, ‘The Great Caper,’ offers a compelling glimpse into his remarkable life. Campbell’s anarchic and uncompromising spirit continues to resonate today, profoundly influencing those who had the privilege of working with him.
Following Ken Campbell’s passing, the School of Night continued their creative journey, with Alan Cox initially assuming the role of ‘Goader.’ While their individual careers have flourished, they remain committed to performing together, albeit sporadically. Their performances have graced diverse venues, from traditional theatres to unique spaces like the Willow Globe, The British Library, and Birmingham Library. In 2024, I finally had the privilege of witnessing their magic at Shakespeare North Playhouse. After years of anticipation, the experience was truly phenomenal. Seeing the legendary School of Night, adorned in their distinctive tea cosies and Nordic slippers, effortlessly weave literary wonders before my eyes, created a memory that will endure.
To celebrate their anniversary, the School of Night will return to Liverpool, a city that holds a special place in their history. They will perform the closing show of the Liverpool Improvisation Festival (LIF) at the Unity Theatre on Saturday, April 26th, at 8 pm. If you, like myself, have yet to experience the captivating, improvised theatre of the School of Night, I urge you not to miss this exceptional opportunity.
The Liverpool Improvisation Festival (LiF) brings the best of the world’s improvisation to Liverpool and the best of Liverpool to the world. Liverpool will once again be the epicentre of improvised creativity. Information on the 18 shows and 7 workshops taking place from Thursday the 24th – 27th of April can be found here. LiF is supported by the Unity Theatre and Liverpool John Moores University.
