Devoted and Disgruntled was born out of frustration. I was frustrated both with theatre and with myself. I knew things could be better in theatre and I also knew the way I responded to that situation could be more creative. I wanted to stop moaning and actually do something about it. — Phelim McDermott, Co-Artistic Director of Improbable
Improbable’s 21st annual unconventional convention for everyone who is passionate about making change in theatre and the performing arts is back! We’ll be at Shoreditch Town Hall in London from Saturday 2nd May – Monday 4th May 2026.
A nationwide conversation about theatre and the performing arts. Since 2006, Improbable has been using a process called Open Space Technology to facilitate these gatherings where everyone’s voice matters, no topic is off-limits, and the agenda is created by the people in the room. There are no keynote speakers. No panels. No fixed programme. You decide what gets talked about, explored, challenged, and dreamed into being.
For three decades, Improbable has been asking bold questions about how we make work, how we work together, and how we imagine better futures. Devoted & Disgruntled remains one of the places where those questions are not only asked — but acted upon. Plus this year, we’re celebrating Improbable’s 30th Anniversary! A chance to take stock, reflect back, and look forward.
If the question “What are we going to do about Theatre and the Performing Arts?” inspires you, invigorates you, or even infuriates you — then this is for you. If we’re going to change things for the better, we need time, space, and each other — meeting on equal footing, with curiosity, courage, and care.
Devoted & Disgruntled is that time and space.
