Match d'improvisation / Ligue Nationale d'Improvisation
1977-present · Montreal, QC (origin); now 30+ countries
Also known as LNI, Le Match d'impro
Quebec-born improv competition format staged as a hockey match — performed in 7 languages in 30+ countries; the second-most-international improv format after Theatresports.
Known for
- First Match d'improvisation: October 21, 1977, Maison de Beaujeu skating rink, Montreal. Conceived by Robert Gravel and Yvon Leduc at the restaurant's terrace.
- Format: two teams of six (three men, three women), referees, hockey jerseys, audience votes with colored cards, 20-second caucus, topics drawn randomly.
- Inaugural season planned for 4 matches; expanded to 17 due to success.
- 1980: Gravel, Leduc, and Anne-Marie Laprade founded Théâtre de la Ligue Nationale d'Improvisation.
- 1981: LNI toured France — laid groundwork for European leagues.
- Today: 30+ countries (Congo, Norway, US, Haiti, Australia, Argentina, Tunisia, Belgium, France, Switzerland); 350+ artists have performed on the LNI rink.
Connected to
People
robert gravelyvon leduc
Troupes
lni
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligue_nationale_d'improvisation
- https://ville.montreal.qc.ca/memoiresdesmontrealais/la-ligue-nationale-dimprovisation-quand-le-hockey-rencontre-le-theatre
- https://www.dramaction.qc.ca/fr/improvisation/histoire-de-la-lni/
- https://maprofdefrancais.ca/le-match-dimpro-une-invention-quebecoise/
- https://www.tribu-talent.com/le-match-dimprovisation-de-ses-origines-a-aujourdhui/
Referenced by
Festivals