Impromptu

Impromptu

1964 - United Kingdom

Devised by David Croft this was an unscripted thirty minute comedy series in which the five members of the cast were presented with cards bearing the characters, situations and first lines which would form the basis of that week's show. From then on the rest was up to them. 

The performers were Betty Impey, Peter Reeves, Anne Cunningham, Victor Spinetti and Lance Percival and the 'card giver' known as Boss Man was Jeremy Hawk. The music was supplied by John Barry. The series only ran from April to June before disappearing from our screens but years later was revived in a somewhat altered form for BBC radio before returning to television as Whose Line Is It Anyway in which different guest performers each week would improvise short sketches suggested by a live studio audience.

Published on December 22nd, 2018. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Bewitched

A witch marries a 'mortal' in 1960s America - and her family do not approve!

Also released in 1964

Spate of Speight

60-minute one-off sketch show from one of Britain's most controversial comedy scriptwriters

Also tagged Comedy Sketch Show

Monty Python

Madcap sketch show featuring a new wave of British talent. "And now for something completely different..."

Also tagged Uk Sketch Comedy

It's Marty tv show

Marty Feldman's series of madcap sketches only burned brightly for two series but won him the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award for the Best Light Entertainment Series, and a BAFTA for Best Script

Also tagged Uk Sketch Comedy

Sparrows Can't Sing

When Cockney sailor Charlie returns home after two years away, he discovers that his wife Maggie has moved on—and in with another man. This bittersweet drama, full of colourful and unforgettable characters made a star out of Barbara Windsor

Also starring Victor Spinetti

The Five Foot Nine Show

A one-off comedy show that reunited two of the regulars from That Was The Week That Was.

Also tagged Comedy Sketch Show

Arthur's Treasured Volumes

It's title inspired by the initials of the television company that produced the series, Arthur's Treasured Volumes appears to be, if the sole surviving episode is an example, an underrated and unfairly forgotten TV gem.

Also tagged Comedy Sketch Show