Making History: ‘Tabloids’ Takes Center Stage in Two Continents Simultaneously
Lublin Cast in front of the V4 Improv Connect Banner
From September 27-29, 2024, something truly special happened in the world of improv theatre. For the first time, ‘Tabloids’, a long-form improv format developed through the V4 Improv Connect Project, was performed simultaneously in two different continents—in Lublin, Poland, and Singapore. This extraordinary event marked a milestone in international artistic collaboration, uniting improvisers across thousands of kilometers through a shared theatrical experience.
A Performance That Spanned the Globe
The V4 Improv Connect project was founded on the belief that improv theatre has the power to transcend borders, languages, and cultures. This belief came to life on this historic night, as two separate casts, in vastly different cities, performed the same format in professional theatre venues—exactly the way improv was meant to be performed.
🌍 Lublin, Poland
Hosted at Eastern Theatre (Teatr Wschodni), the Lublin performance featured artists from Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, North Macedonia, and the USA, creating a truly multinational experience.
Singapore cast
🎭 Singapore – Part of the Singapore International Improv Festival
Taking place at the Stamford Arts Centre, the Singapore performance was part of the prestigious Singapore International Improv Festival (SIIF), bringing ‘Tabloids’ to an exciting new audience in Asia.
- The show was directed by Hon Chong, the co-creator of ‘Tabloids’, ensuring the format’s original artistic vision was fully realized.
- Featuring an international cast from Australia, Singapore, Japan, China, Pakistan, and Taiwan, the show demonstrated the global appeal and adaptability of the format.
‘Tabloids’ was developed during an intensive retreat in Bratislava, where partner theatres from Hungary, North Macedonia, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Slovenia came together to create original formats designed to elevate improv theatre. Traditionally, improv has been associated with comedy gags and short-form games, often performed in casual settings like pubs and cafés. ‘Tabloids’ challenges this perception, proving that improvisational theatre deserves a place in professional theatre venues—where it can rival and even exceed scripted theatre in storytelling depth and artistic quality.
Despite being thousands of kilometers apart, both performances shared the same essence—using local tabloid headlines as inspiration to create an entirely improvised theatrical experience.
What is ‘Tabloids’?
Developed during a 6-day artistic retreat in Bratislava, ‘Tabloids’ is a long-form improv format that blends real-life headlines with spontaneous storytelling.
At the beginning of each show, the host presents three different tabloid headlines from local news sources. The audience selects one, and from there, the cast crafts an entirely new, unpredictable, and often hilarious narrative, inspired by—but not bound to—the original news.
What Makes ‘Tabloids’ Unique?
✅ Authentically local – The show integrates real tabloid stories from the host city, making every performance culturally relevant and unique.
✅ No grim or sensationalist news – We avoid gruesome murders, celebrity scandals, or political controversies, focusing instead on quirky, amusing, and light-hearted stories.
✅ Surprising twist at the end – At the conclusion, the real headlines and their original news stories are revealed, adding an extra layer of fun and engagement for the audience.
Lublin’s Eastern Theatre: A Hub for International Collaboration
The Lublin performance was more than just a show—it was part of Eastern Theatre’s artistic season opening, making it a key cultural event for the city. The evening was a celebration of artistic diversity, featuring:
🎭 Improvised performances featuring actors from Bratislava (Funnylicious Theater), Budapest (Itt és Most Társulat, Flow Theatre), Skopje (ITI Macedonia), and Lublin (Teatr Wschodni and guests).
🎸 A live rock concert by JUSTLANDED, showcasing the world’s first solar-powered electric guitar, blending sustainability with musical innovation.
🌿 The launch of the Art Social Garden, an artistic residency project led by Portuguese visual artist Maria Melo, which engaged local residents and international artists in creative community building.
By hosting improv performances alongside music, social art projects, and technological innovations, the Lublin event embodied the spirit of cultural exchange and artistic innovation. As the city prepares to become the European Capital of Culture in 2029, this event set the stage for Lublin’s growing influence in the global arts scene.
Furthermore, Teatr Wschodni’s participation in V4 Improv Connect has positioned Lublin as a growing hub for international improv collaboration, aligning with the city’s preparations for the European Capital of Culture in 2029.
“We are confident that the relationships built with international improv theatres and the multinational ensemble created through this project will continue to grow. The completion of this project is only the beginning for Teatr Wschodni, as we look ahead to new artistic collaborations in the coming years within the framework of Lublin’s European Capital of Culture 2029.” – Teatr Wschodni
Through the V4 Improv Connect project, Teatr Wschodni has also pioneered Lublin’s first English-language improv training program, attracting participants from five continents. This initiative has opened doors for more inclusive and diverse theatre experiences in Poland, reinforcing the long-term impact of the project.
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- Lublin Cast
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- Paulina from Lublin
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- Singapore Cast
Why This Tour Stop Was Special
💡 A First in Improv History – Performing the same show format at the exact same time in two different continents was a groundbreaking achievement, showcasing the global reach and adaptability of improv theatre.
🌍 Truly International Collaboration – The Lublin performance brought together improvisers from seven different countries, while the Singapore show introduced ‘Tabloids’ to an international festival audience as part of the Singapore Improv Festival , demonstrating the format’s global appeal.
🚀A Platform for Future Collaboration – The relationships built through this project will continue beyond 2024, with Teatr Wschodni planning new improv projects for 2025 as part of Lublin’s cultural programming.
🎭 An Experiment in Cultural Exchange – By integrating local headlines, each performance reflected the uniqueness of its own city, proving that while cultures and communities differ, storytelling remains universal.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for ‘Tabloids’?
With its successful premiere across two continents, ‘Tabloids’ is set to travel even further. Plans are already in motion to:
✅ Submit ‘Tabloids’ to international theatre festivals, increasing its recognition and artistic credibility.
✅ Refine the format by incorporating live musicians, improvised singing, and new storytelling techniques, pushing the boundaries of what improv theatre can be.
✅ Organize a V4 Improv Connect reunion show in Bratislava (2025), bringing together artists from across the project for a special one-time performance.
The V4 Improv Connect project has proven that theatre is limitless—that creativity, collaboration, and community-building can thrive across borders, languages, and even time zones.
And on one special night in September, we made history by proving it. 🎭✨
Want to Be Part of the Next Chapter?
Follow Funnylicious Theater and V4 Improv Connect for updates on upcoming performances, workshops, and international tours. Let’s keep pushing the boundaries of improv—together!
International Ensemble and Partners
This project unites a broad spectrum of talent, emphasizing our dedication to inclusivity, diversity, and collaboration.
Project Partners:
- Funnylicious Theater (Slovakia)
- Itt és Most Társulat (Hungary)
- České národní improvizační divadlo (Czechia)
- Fundacja Teatr Wschodni (Poland)
- Macedonian Center of International Theater Institute (North Macedonia)
Unofficial Partners:
- IGLU Theatre (Slovenia)
- Flow Theater (Hungary)
Contact Information:
hello@isac-eu.org
The project is co-financed by the Governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from the International Visegrad Fund. The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.
