Rating: 
Summary: Insightful, But Cynical
Review: This book has an "Annoyance Theatre" feel to it-it's fresh and insightful, and seductively anti-establishment. The author serves up a cynical new spin on old improv technique, and even slams improv's "old guard" in the process. If you're a sassy, cynical improviser who knows everything (which includes every improviser on earth) you'll be hypnotized by the book's "bleeding edge" tone. But the rebellious "us vs. them" tenor of Napier's book is so sexy, so enticing, that you may miss the irony: Napier slams the improv establishment, (but he *is* the establishment, having formed his own theatre, and having lead Second City to a rebirth.) Napier thwarts the concept of formal technique and methodology, (but then proceeds to lay down his *own*.) Napier dismisses old improv rules as observation-turned-dogma, (but then serves up several pages of his *own* observations.) Sure, the advice is great, but why does he still talk like Sparticus leading a slave rebellion? He's already king. The enemy is imaginary. IMPROVISATION does fall short as a complete reference. It ends up being more like a book of "best practices for seasoned improvisers." New improvisers will end up feeling like they just got kicked in the junk. I wish this book shared his real anti-establishment vision:
x What's the next wave for this art form?
x What is improv's future impact on the theatre, TV and other scripted media?
x Is there any way to unite the improv theatre community, rather than divide it into "us vs. them?"
Rating: 
Summary: unlearning the rules
Review: By rethinking the "rules" improvisers work by, Napier helps re-prioritize the means and goals of good improv scenework.
Somewhere in the ancient past, he says, improvisers saw that many badly improvised scenes had certain things in common (scenes about teaching, questions asked, denials given, and so forth). Seeing these things as causes of bad scenework, rules were made against them -- rules many improvisers carry around with them all the time.
He suggests this is, as they say, putting the cart before the horse. Although bad scenes often share certain characteristics, there are other underlying causes (which he talks about) for bad scenework. In other words, the things we're told not to do are symptoms, not necessarily causes, of improvisation which does not reach its full potential.
I saw an immediate and tangible improvement in my own improv work after reading this book, and would highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Someone gets it right
Review: Finally, a book on improv that doesn't play by the rules. This is what the improviser's bookshelf has been missing for years. This isn't a book on how to amuse your friends at parties with some short form games. This is the best companion book to practicing improv out there. A different perspective on playing that is finally being put to ink. If you are serious about improv, seriously consider this wonderful book.
Rating:
Summary: Great advice from the world's greatest improv teacher
Review: I'm a professional actor/writer (and former improvisational performer) who's been lucky enough to have known Mick Napier for about 20 years now. And I can say without a doubt that he is the best improv teacher/director I've ever seen. This book captures his point-of-view and teaching philosophy perfectly and it's essential reading for anyone interested in improvisational comedy.
Rating:
Summary: this is a good book
Review: if you want to buy this good book, you should go to annoyanceproductions dot com and follow the links for buy mick's book. you will end up back here at amazon, and annoyance productions will get a small percentage from the sale to go towards their new theater.
Rating:
Summary: this is a good book
Review: if you want to buy this good book, you should go to annoyanceproductions dot com and follow the links for buy mick's book. you will end up back here at amazon, and annoyance productions will get a small percentage from the sale to go towards their new theater.
Rating:
Summary: Praise from a cynic
Review: Improv books tend to fall into three categories: (1) New ideas poorly articulated (Improvisation for the Theatre for example - the bible of improv that is impossible to read cover to cover) (2) Books that cover old ground in an easy to read way that is effective for someone trying to learn improv (Keith's second book, my own book: The Ultimate Improv Book [hopefully ;>]) (3) Books with 'improv' in the title that are more collections of games or (worse) exercise-teaching plans without any learning outcomes. This book does not fall into any of those categories. I'm amazed it was published. It's a book for people who already know improvisation. But Mick argues that the most accepted ways to teach improvisation are not only ineffective, they are COUNTER effective. And he makes a great argument. I had already started on the path he lays out (I've no longer teach 'blocking' off the top, instead concentrating on reducing fear and encouraging failure), but I have not gone nearly as far as he suggests (Not teaching blocking ever). It's a bold step and I am going to try it in the next class I teach. In short, who should buy this book? (1) If you are already an improviser. You've been trained (somewhere) and are looking for a challenging new way to look at your crafty (2) You are an instructor who is looking for a new way to teach (not new games, but new principles) Who should also buy this book: (1) If you are buying your first improv book. Buy this book, but also pick up one of the standards - know what you are not learning - if only so you can discuss it with other improvisers (I know Mick would not suggest this, but we don't agree on everything) (2) If you are set in your ways and figure you know the right way to do improv - buy this book and see if you can open your mind a little. I would be interested to hear counter arguments to Mick's ideas. I am calling all my improv friends and telling them to buy this book. It's the first book with something new to say in a long time. Congratulations Mick. I wish you had written this book earlier. Edward J Nevraumont
Co-author: The Ultimate Improv Book
Rating:
Summary: Think you know everything there is to know about improv?
Review: So, you know all "the rules," you've been improvising for years, you think you know all you need to know, and yet you find your work stagnant? This book will help you re-examine why and how you improvise. Mick Napier is quite simply the finest improv instructor today. He's taken the torches of Del Close and Martin DeMaat and is moving improvisation forward. If you think Spolin, Halpern and Johnstone wrote all that can be written about improv, you're sadly mistaken. This is, quite frankly, the best hands-on guide to improvisation you will ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Think you know everything there is to know about improv?
Review: So, you know all "the rules," you've been improvising for years, you think you know all you need to know, and yet you find your work stagnant? This book will help you re-examine why and how you improvise. Mick Napier is quite simply the finest improv instructor today. He's taken the torches of Del Close and Martin DeMaat and is moving improvisation forward. If you think Spolin, Halpern and Johnstone wrote all that can be written about improv, you're sadly mistaken. This is, quite frankly, the best hands-on guide to improvisation you will ever read.
Rating:
Summary: A Deeper Look at Improv
Review: This book is well written, easily read and full of very useful tips for the serious improviser. Improvisation is all about making connections and you can't help but make more connections to this art form after reading this book. The more experience you have as an improviser, the more you will get out of this book. It's like an improv booster shot.
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