An Improvised Pantomime? Oh yes it is!

The Totally Improvised Pantomime returns this December and tickets are selling fast. With shows across Greater Manchester and Chorley, don't miss out on the all festive fun! An alternative to traditional pantos, this show sees our players create brand new adventures from your suggestions and a sprinkling of fairy dust.

There will be plenty of songs, silliness and maybe even a little bit of sauciness from our Panto Dame. There is something for everyone with family friendly and adults only versions. You've never seen a panto like this before!

UPDATE: Due to popular demand we have added a family friendly date to Chorley Theatre! The 6.30pm show at Waterside Arts on December 9th is now sold out.

THE TOTALLY IMPROVISED PANTOMIME DATES 2023:

December 8th 2023 | Waterside Arts, Sale | 7pm | TICKETS (ALL AGES)

December 9th 2023 | Waterside Arts, Sale | 2.30pm | TICKETS (TOTS SHOW)

December 9th 2023 | Waterside Arts, Sale | 4.30pm | TICKETS (ALL AGES)

December 9th 2023 | Waterside Arts, Sale | 6.30pm | TICKETS (ALL AGES)

December 13th 2023 | Fierce Bar, Manchester | 7.30pm | TICKETS (ADULTS ONLY)

December 15th 2023 | Waterside Arts, Sale | 7.30pm | TICKETS (ADULTS ONLY)

December 16th 2023 | Waterside Arts, Sale | 7.30pm | TICKETS (ADULTS ONLY)

December 19th 2023 | The Peer Hat, Manchester | 7.30pm | TICKETS (ADULTS ONLY)

December 28th 2023 | Chorley Theatre, Chorley | 5pm | TICKETS (FAMILY FRIENDLY)

December 28th 2023 | Chorley Theatre, Chorley | 7.30pm | TICKETS (ADULTS ONLY)

Book now to avoid disappointment with some dates close to or already sold out. These are our last shows of 2023, but we'll be back in the new year with ComedySportz, and The Totally Improvised Musical (more dates on sale soon).

Looking for Christmas gift ideas? Why not check out our comedy workshops starting January 2024. Give the gift of laughter this holiday season, or why not treat yourself? For the latest info on all of our upcoming shows and workshops, follow us on social media or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

It's Our Birthday!

ComedySportz UK turns 22 years old this weekend! Since 2001, we have performed all across the UK and beyond and this month we are celebrating with two very special shows. With birthday shows at our current home at Waterside Arts and our original home, Chorley Theatre, don't miss the fun!

Never seen a ComedySportz match before? Completely unscripted, each show sees red and blue teams compete for laughs with some all-action gags and games. It's fun for all ages and there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the action. There’s a referee on hand to ensure a good-clean match with penalties for bad behaviour and bad jokes, and the audiences decides who wins. 

“Twenty-two years is a long time. So long, in fact, that kids who saw our original Chorley shows are now bringing their own kids to watch us,” says performer Bron Edge, who started the team in 2001. "It's great to have done something that so many people have been a part of."

Winning best alternative act at the North-West Comedy Awards in 2022, our five-star team have had sold out shows at major UK festivals including Edinburgh and Buxton Fringe Festivals. We've taught workshops and classes for adults and kids in improv, stand-up comedy, sketch writing and more! Over the years we have delivered workshops for schools and leading UK and international brands. And over time our shows have expanded to cover all kinds of genres. Comedy Unplugged, Improv Mullet, The Improvised Final Frontier, An Improvised Adventure in Time and Space, and so many more! Our current shows include The Totally Improvised Musical, The Totally Improvised Pantomime and the New Adelphi Comedy Night with the students at University of Salford.   

There are two special birthday shows to choose from on Saturday 25th November, celebrating the past, present and future of ComedySportz UK! You can catch us at our regular venue, Waterside Arts, from 6.30pm. Alternatively, at 7.30pm, you can catch a very special Chorley vs. The World match at Chorley Theatre, the venue where it all began. "We're excited to be performing in Chorley Theatre's brand new studio space, so if you hear something creaking you'll know it's our knees and not the stage," adds Bron.

Thank you to everyone who has ever seen a ComedySportz show, taken a class or been part of the team. We wouldn't have got this far without you and, whether it's your first show our your thousandth, we hope you'll join us this weekend! The show can't start without you...

January 2024 workshops on sale!

Dates for our January 2024 comedy courses are on sale now! With courses in improv and stand-up comedy, these fun and friendly sessions are a great way to explore your funny side, build confidence and unlock new skills. Below you'll find more information on how to book a space for yourself or gift a space to a friend or family member this holiday season.

CSzUK is an award-winning improv comedy company, entertaining audiences since 2001. We are part of CSz Worldwide, and currently the only ComedySportz team outside of the US. Our facilitators have performed, taught and trained across the UK and beyond for over twenty years. Based in Greater Manchester, UK, we are the city's longest running improv and stand-up comedy courses. We work hard to create safe and supportive environments for people to play, learn and connect within our courses.

All three of our main courses will commence on Saturday 20th January 2024. We are, once again, returning to The New Adelphi Building, University of Salford campus. All of our workshop spaces are fully wheelchair accessible. Below is a short description of our courses with direct links to the booking pages.

Foundation Improv

Learn the core skills of improv with this course. Explore key concepts of improvised comedy, this course will explore how you and your scene partners can create characters, narratives and whole worlds from simple suggestions. Build confidence approaching life unscripted, develop communication skills, or just rediscover your playfulness and creativity. We also have up to three scholarship positions for global majority applicants. Find out more/Book a space here.

Beginning Stand-Up Comedy

Write, develop and perform your first five minutes of stand-up comedy with this course. Over 8 sessions you will find and hone your comedic voice, developing confidence in delivery and stagecraft. Through expert tutelage you'll explore ways to generate ideas, hone your material and make the most out of a gag. Find out more/Book a space here.

Intermediate Improv

Our current batch of workshops is still underway, and sessions can still be attended on a drop-in basis. However, you can also sign up for the full eight sessions of our January course now. This course is designed with a rolling curriculum of classes with new and returning workshops throughout the year. Sessions explore a variety of skills, concepts and styles of improv. Some previous improv training is assumed and these sessions are not suited for people at the start of their improv journey. Find out more/Book a space here.

Comedy Courses gift voucher. Great gift ideas for Christmas.

Gifting

In improv, an offer from your scene partner is often referred to as gifting. And what better gift to give this Christmas than 8 weeks of fun and laughter! If booking one of our comedy courses as a gift, please add a note when booking (you can also email us in advance). We will then know to contact you to get the name and contact information of the recipient for our records and so we can contact them before the course starts - but after a date specified by you. We will also email you a gift voucher and workshop sheet to give on the special day. Gift bookings must be paid in full.

Short Courses

We will also be running one-day workshops in April and May 2024 including an improv crash course. We'll be adding more of information about these in the new year but our improv taster session is already on sale now.

Got questions about our Comedy Courses? Get in touch!

Not sure if a comedy course is right for you? We have answered some frequently - and not so frequently - asked questions for you here. Keep in the loop with our upcoming shows and workshops by following us on social media or signing up to our monthly mailing list.

Leicester Comedy Festival

We are delighted to announce that both ComedySportz and The Totally Improvised Musical will be returning to the UK's longest running comedy festival next February! With the official programme launching today and all tickets now on sale, we're excited to be back at The Leicester Comedy Festival in 2024.

ComedySportz sees two teams go for gold with quick-witted gags and games. Join us for an afternoon of fast-paced, feelgood fun on Sunday 11th February. With points determined by audience laughter, it is up to you to decide which team will be leaving Leicester victorious or in defeat. Either way, we promise that the real winners will be you, the audience! Tickets for ComedySportz are available here.

“ComedySportz is a show that is fun for kids and adults alike,” says Sean. “From shouting out suggestions to joining us on the pitch this a show that everyone can get involved in.” 

Then, later that evening, The Totally Improvised Musical returns for the opening night of another brand new comedy musical based on a title given by the audience. Scenes, songs and stories are made up on the spot and there may even be some dancing. “The person whose title is picked gets a free pin badge. If that’s not enough to tempt you in, I don’t know what is,” adds Bron. “It’s a really nice pin badge.” 

Previous show titles have included Frankenstein Joins an Acapella Group, Lawnmowers: The Musical, My Grandma Is a Parasite, Thomas the Tank Engine in Hell and Penguins Don’t Eat Cheese. “Some nights you end up singing a really touching love song and sometimes you end up doing a dance about ham,” adds Sean. “Every night is totally different which makes the show special for the audience that watched it. It’s not to be missed!” 

Tickets for The Totally Improvised Musical are available here.

About Leicester Comedy Festival

Leicester Comedy Festival is the longest running comedy festival in the UK, having taken place every February since 1994, and now regularly attracts over 120,000 people to venues across Leicester and Leicestershire throughout the 19 days.  Following sold out shows at the Buxton and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals earlier this year, we hope you'll join us for some award-winning improv comedy next February!

For the regular updates on all of our upcoming shows, workshops and events don't forget to sign up to our mailing list today!

Halloween Spooktacular!

It’s nearly time for the ComedySportz Halloween Spooktacular at Waterside Arts! Players will be adding a little pumpkin spice to our usual family friendly show as teams get you screaming with laughter with spooky sketches and songs inspired by your suggestions.

Once again, the Dead Team take on the Boo Team with ghoulish games and frightfully fun gags. Don't worry there's still a referee on hand to ensure a good clean match and make sure the teams are raising laughter from the audience instead of raising the dead. Speaking of the audience, any loyal fans in fancy dress will get a treat… or will it be a trick? Find out on Saturday 28th October - book tickets here!

Be sure to catch the match if you're looking for some family friendly fun this Halloween Half-Term. Find out more about all of our upcoming shows, including our Totally Improvised Pantomimes in December, by visiting our shows page. You can also follow us on social media or sign up to our mailing list for regular updates on all of our upcoming shows, workshops and events.