The Premise
1960-1964 · New York, NY; London, UK
Greenwich Village's answer to Second City, founded by Compass alum Theodore J. Flicker — cradle for Buck Henry, Gene Hackman, and Joan Darling.
Known for
- Opened November 22, 1960 in a Bleecker Street basement, founded by Theodore J. Flicker (who had run the St. Louis Compass).
- Ran approximately 1,249 performances before closing in 1964.
- Core and guest cast: Tom Aldredge, George Segal, Joan Darling, James Frawley, Buck Henry, Gene Hackman, Sandy Baron, Al Mancini, Garry Goodrow, George Furth, Cynthia Harris, Peter Bonerz, Mina Kolb, Sandra Seacat.
- Transferred to the Comedy Theatre in London's West End — among the first American improv troupes to tour internationally.
- Flicker went on to create 'Barney Miller' and direct 'The President's Analyst.'
Connected to
Troupes
People
theodore flickerbuck henryjoan darlinggeorge segal
Forms
scenario
Notes
The Premise codified more of what we’d recognize as contemporary improv discipline than Second City did in its first years — Flicker was the most rigorous of the first-generation theorists.
Sources
Referenced by
Troupes