Freedom of expression is a term often referred to in the context of society and politics, but subconsciously we guard our own freedom of expression on a daily basis.

Sometimes it is difficult to give away feelings of sadness, anger, disappointment and fear, just as we can dilute expressions of joy, amusement and happiness.

Next week Toby Butterfield is offering you the opportunity to let your emotions, imagination and creativity run wild, at her Improv Theatre for Beginners class.

"Life is a bit like an improv scene. The more you can be flexible and just go with it, the better," says Toby Butterfield.

Most people only know improv through the television show 'Whose Line is it Anyway?', but it is growing in popularity around the world, particularly in the corporate sector which has recognised its advantages for developing teamwork and creativity.

It seems the realm of fantasy can bring benefits to the real world as well.

"Improv can really impact on people quite significantly," says Miss Butterfield. "In the classes you're laughing and having a lot of fun, but at the end of the day people do end up feeling more confident and creative. They're not afraid of the unknown and can really work well with others.

"These qualities are being recognised more and more in the business world. The corporate world is reaching to the world of improv because they can see the values of these skills. It creates a group of people who trust each other, who can build on each other's ideas and feel creative together."

Miss Butterfield, 38, first got involved in improv theatre while studying for her Masters degree in psychology at John F. Kennedy University, San Francisco. She attended her local community centre at Berkeley and was immediately hooked.

"I've no background in amateur dramatics or theatre, but I was always the kind of person who liked charades and group games," says Miss Butterfield.

"I remember walking in late to the class and having to pretend I knew what was going on, so I just ran and jumped into a group game. I felt immediately like I was at home — it was like being in a room full of people who liked to play charades.

"Any time I was feeling awkward, everyone else was feeling awkward with me, so it wasn't bad. I liked the fact that suddenly it was OK to be playful and be an adult at the same time. Everyone was joined together in the spirit of play and being creative, supporting each others' ideas."

Miss Butterfield says: "I was a trainee psychotherapist in a situation where everything I said mattered, and suddenly it didn't matter what I said because after a few seconds it was gone.

"It was just so much fun, and that's why I really feel improv is for everyone.

"I loved it so much it was a joy for me to take classes."

Miss Butterfield decided to train in improv and attended the BATS theatre in San Francisco. Before moving back to Bermuda four years ago, she performed for a year in the West Coast city. After arriving back in Bermuda she then taught improv through Community Education and now runs classes for adults through her organisation Improv Bermuda.

"Improv can touch different areas of people's lives," she says.

There are also many different types of improv.

"It's very cutting edge," says Miss Butterfield. "There's improv that focuses on being quick and telling jokes, which is a lot of fun, but sort of 'cartoony'. Another approach is to have a narrative-based improv which is focused on telling stories. In the audience you don't feel silly believing in them because the actors really commit to them and take you on a journey. This is more three-dimensional rather than cartoon comedy.

"Improv can go anywhere and it does. All the different genres are represented and can be taught, so you can actually improvise Shakespeare or Oscar Wilde, a western, musical or even film noir."

Miss Butterfield says there are also long and short forms of improv.

She says improv is so enjoyable, two of her students even accompanied her to San Francisco this summer to attend a four-day workshop at the BATS theatre.

"One of them now lives in the UK, and so that's a real statement to the power of improv," she says.

In her classes, Miss Butterfield says she tries to make people "feel safe", acknowledging that "to many people, improv looks scary".

"It's really important that people can feel they can take risks," she says. "That's the most important thing when you begin. You've also got to show people they can trust their own ideas and that it's OK to feel silly and embarrassed because everyone else is going to feel the same way."

Miss Butterfield says improv works on the principle of 'yes and', in that if someone introduces something you agree with what they do and then add to it yourself.

Over the past three years teaching improv in Bermuda, Miss Butterfield has seen a whole spectrum of people from all nationalities and backgrounds.

For someone who grew up in Warwick and now lives in Somerset, she says a lack of participation from Bermudians is sadly lacking.

"I've had people from all over the globe come to my classes, but not from Bermuda and so that makes me feel sad," says Miss Butterfield.

"But I know lots of Bermudians out there who will enjoy this — it would be great to get some in the room."

So — what are you waiting for? Abandon your reality for an hour or two and have some fun!

Improv Theatre for Beginners takes place at the Warwick Academy drama studio this Wednesday between 7.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. The eight week course costs $125. For more information contact: Improvtoby@ yahoo.com or 505 7011.