The Non-Travelling Reserve

The Impro Show has one Non-Travelling Reserve (NTR), a player of much talent and skill who has not yet been needed, though he stands at the ready, passport in hand, available at a moment's notice. Alberto lives in the Highlands of Scotland where he enjoys a pastoral life amongst fellow sheep. He enjoys grass and fresh spring water, and is partial to a wee tipple of whisky on special occasions. Alberto comes from a long line of performing sheep. Of particular significance is his Grandfather Antonio, of Italian extraction, who's extrovert nature captured the eye of Michael Palin on a trip to Tuscany in the early 60s. Mr Palin couldn't miss the opportunity to offer Antonio the role as lead sheep in the famous Monty Python 'Flying Sheep' sketch that kick-started that much loved British Comedy troupe. Antonio did all his own stunts during the filming of the sketch and has left behind him a legacy that his grandson Alberto continues to this day. Antonio's working relationship with Money Python also precipitated his move to the Britain where he settled with his wife Lucina.

When not waiting for his call to jet out to Africa to participate in The Impro Show Alberto keeps 'his eye in' by reciting Robert Burns poetry for his mates on grassy Highland slopes and appears once a year in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as a goat in his own self-penned one-sheep play Go-Tea. This erudite piece celebrates the less known goat-specific skill of tea tasting. Throughout Scotland, China and many African tea growing areas goats are increasingly being used as Tea Tasters. Alberto himself is married to a goat, Elizabeth, a local Scottish lass, and his passion to promote goatism is a testimony to their deep love for one another. It wasn't an easy marriage for either as inter-species relationships are generally frowned upon in the Highlands of Scotland, but as they say "love conquers all". Alberto and Lizzy have two cuddly children, Maria and Bruce.