The Free Association

Founding (October 2014)

Graham Dickson founded The Free Association to bring a UCB and iO-style long-form improv school model to the UK, a structure he found absent when studying improv in New York. The company's first show took place above the De Beauvoir Arms pub in Haggerston, East London on October 19, 2014. Early co-founders and performers at launch included Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez (sketch duo Max and Ivan), Nell Mooney, Jessica Ransom, Freya Parker, and Joseph Morpurgo.

De Beauvoir Arms and Lord Stanley (2015-2025)

The company ran shows and classes at the De Beauvoir Arms in Haggerston through 2025, and also expanded to the Lord Stanley pub in Camden, operating across both venues for a decade.

Curriculum

The Free Association offers a six-level curriculum centred on the Harold, Del Close's long-form structure as developed at iO and UCB. Dickson, who is also a member of Austentatious, trained at UCB New York.

Permanent Southwark Venue (October 2025)

On October 16, 2025, The Free Association opened its first permanent home at Arch 26, Old Union Yard Arches, Southwark, SE1 0LR, following the company's 10th anniversary in 2024. The venue includes a 104-seat theatre, cafe-bar, and purpose-built classroom, secured on a 10-year lease with over £20,000 raised through crowdfunding.

The Free Association is the UK's closest equivalent to a UCB or iO school, bringing Harold-based long-form improv to London since 2014 with a six-level curriculum and a permanent Southwark home from 2025.

This Doesn't Leave The Room is the company's flagship 120-minute ensemble production featuring an all-star cast alongside live musicians. HOUSE is the weekly showcase for the Harold and Narrative house teams. Fabled: The Improvised Fantasy Adventure presents long-form narrative improv in a fantasy genre with recurring audiences. Space Planet Mission stages improvised science fiction. Giant Steps pairs improvisers with jazz musicians. Big Scene Improv Festival, curated by The FA, ran its 2026 edition at Old Union Yard Arches in Southwark with international headliners including Cook County Social Club and Tennessee Williams UnScripted. Graham and Steen, featuring Graham Dickson following Edinburgh Fringe work, is a recurring production. Shoot From The Hip, described in external coverage as an award-winning and viral comedy act, has performed at the venue regularly.

Founded on 19 October 2014 by Graham Dickson alongside Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez, with Mike Orton-Toliver joining shortly after to help launch the school, The Free Association built a Harold-based six-level curriculum modelled on the UCB and iO schools where Dickson trained. Founding performers included Jessica Ransom, Joseph Morpurgo, Nel Mooney, and Freya Parker. From a first show above the De Beauvoir Arms in Haggerston, the company grew to become the principal long-form improv training organisation in the United Kingdom, opening its first permanent home at Arch 26, Old Union Yard Arches, Southwark, in October 2025.

Alumni have accumulated major screen and stage credits. Ambika Mod, who trained at The FA, went on to star in the Netflix series One Day and the BBC drama This Is Going to Hurt. Ritu Arya trained there before joining the cast of The Umbrella Academy. Kate Herron directed the first season of Loki and episodes of The Last of Us. Phil Wang developed comedy work at The FA before recording Netflix specials. The company's own materials note that graduates have won Olivier Awards and BAFTAs, directed for Marvel and Netflix, and launched West End productions.