Summer Workshops

We are delighted to announce new workshops for summer 2024! These comedy classes cover comedy writing and performance skills and there is no previous experience necessary. We're running our one day improv taster session in May. This has been very popular in the last couple of years and is a great introduction to improv for those who want to dip their toes in the water before diving in to a full course! We're also running a two-day sketch writing course in June with a live performance of your sketches to conclude the weekend. It will be a great opportunity to learn comedy writing skills and hear your work live!

4th May | Improv Crash Course | £40

Price includes a £10 non-refundable deposit.

Always wanted to try an improv class but not sure if it's for you? Then don't miss our improv crash course! This session is designed for absolute beginners and will give you a taste of our full Foundation Improv course. We'll cover basic, core improv ideas and skills like "Yes, And", listening and characters... and might even have time for a few games! Perfect for anyone looking to try something new but can't commit to a full course. This workshop will run 1-4pm at The New Adelphi Building, University of Salford. Book Now:

£40.00Add to basket

8th-9th June | Sketch Writing: Script to Stage | £80

Price includes a £20 non-refundable deposit.

This two day course will look at how to develop and write sketch comedy ideas working towards a live script-in-hand performance of your material by our talented crew of performers! Over two classes we will look at the tools and tricks of writing great comedy sketches. From premise to punchlines, classes will explore comedic scenarios, joke writing technique and crafting characters. You will also get an opportunity to see and hear your words performed on stage. Sessions will run 1-5pm on both days with a live performance of your sketches on Sunday 9th starting at 7.30pm. Classes and the showcase will be held at Fierce Bar, Manchester. Book Now:

£80.00Add to basket

Writing with a partner? Book two spaces and use coupon code 'sketchypair' to receive a £20 discount (only valid with this course).

Find Out More About our Comedy Classes

Our full eight week courses will return September 2024. We run regular courses in Improv and Stand-Up Comedy. Our comedy classes have been featured by The Guardian, Cosmo UK, The Stage and Manchester Confidential.

If you'd like to be the first to find out when workshops go on sale sign up to our mailing list or drop us an email. Finally, don't forget to follow us on social media for regular updates on our upcoming shows and workshops. All of our workshop facilitators are fully accredited by CSz Worldwide.

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.

Workshops Start This Weekend!

Our latest batch of workshops and courses start this Saturday 30th September. We're excited to meet plenty of new people about to start their journey into the worlds of improv and stand-up comedy.

Our Beginning Stand-Up Comedy course is now full. There are still a couple of spaces left available on our Foundation Improv and Intermediate Improv courses. Foundation Improv can be joined from the second session (14th October) if you would like to join but are unable to attend on the 30th. You can sign up here. Intermediate Improv can also be attended on a drop-in basis - you can find the full schedule of workshops here. Not sure which course is right for you? Get in touch today.

If you're looking to learn new performance skills, develop soft skills in communication and collaboration, or just looking to do something fun on a Saturday afternoon, sign up to one of our courses today! Want the regular updates on our upcoming shows and workshops? Sign up to our mailing list.

Intermediate Classes Announced

We're excited to announce our new line-up of Intermediate Improv classes. Building on skills developed in our Foundation course, each week will take a deep dive on a specific facet or skill of improv comedy. You can sign up for all eight sessions now or attend on a drop-in basis. The full cost of the course is £75 or you can drop-in from £10 a session.

New to Improv comedy? Try our Foundation Improv classes instead. Under expert tutelage you'll learn the core skills and tenets of improvised performance. Not sure which course is right for you? Get in touch today.

Here is the full line-up of Intermediate Improv workshops starting this month!

Sept 30th | GETTING BACK INTO IT with Bron Edge and Sean Mason

After the Summer Break it's time to get back into the groove with this fun and friendly session. Bron and Sean are ready to help you develop your improv skills, with guidance on games and scene work.

Oct 14th | MUST GO FASTER with Sean Mason

Ever stood on the side lines of a scene, overthought an idea and missed your moment to join the fun? Being in the moment and catching lightning in a bottle requires speed and bravery. This workshop will look at ways we can overcome hesitation and get into the action of scenes and games!

Oct 21st | CLOWNING FOR IMPROVISERS with Tom Short

Clowning explores play and struggle and the grotesque. Clowning is an anarchic art form that is rooted in silliness to subvert what is presented and to stay present. Join Tom to learn how to combine this anarchy with traditional improv games to stay present on stage.

Oct 28th | SILENCE IS GOLDEN with Bron Edge

Be in the moment and create whole narratives without saying a word. Bron will help you build better relationships in your scenes using physicality and emotion. Discovery, observation and playfulness are the words of the week... we just won't be saying them out loud.

Nov 11th | GAME THERAPY with Sean Mason

Do you struggle with certain shortform games or game types? In this workshop Sean will explore ways to find new perspectives on games, overcome obstacles and help you build the confidence to conquer those games that get you sweating!

Nov 18th | WELCOME TO THE PUN SHOW with Stephen Armstrong

Are your wits as quick as your feet? The pun game is a type of game that excites some and daunts others. In this workshop, Stephen "Stretch" Armstrong will explore the techniques and skills to step forward and cause pundamonium, create some smash wits and brew up a big mug of the hilari-tea… (Okay, we'll stop for now).

Nov 25th | PLAYING GENRE with Kate McCabe

Ever taken a genre suggestion and not had a clue what to do with it? Don't know your Spaghetti Westerns from your Film Noir? Join Kate as she navigates some of the common and uncommon genre suggestions. In this workshop you'll look at ways of playing with genre conventions for maximum effect.

Dec 2nd | SHOWCASE WARM-UP with Bron Edge and Sean Mason

It's end of term and that always means games! Get ready for the Intermediate Showcase as we revisit some of the skills and games explored throughout the last 8 weeks. Stretch those improv muscles and get show fit!

Dec 6th | SHOWCASE at Fierce Bar, Manchester

Combined with our Beginning Stand-Up Comedy course, the course culminates in a free show for family and friends. All attendees of our Intermediate course are welcome to attend whether you signed up for the full run or just dropped-in.

Excited? Head over to our Intermediate Improv workshops page and sign up for your next improv classes today! We hope to see you at a show or workshop soon!

Autumn Shows and Workshops

It might not feel like it during this heat wave but summer is nearly over! We've just about recovered from our Edinburgh Fringe run - full houses, glowing audiences, lots of fun and very little sleep - and it's time to look to what the rest of the year has in store. With more improv comedy shows and workshops to look forward to there's something for everyone...

The fun kicks off with some fierce competition as ComedySportz heads to Fierce Bar, Manchester on Tuesday 12th September. Get ready for a night of all action, all improvised competitive comedy fun. The venue may be adults only but it'll still be a good clean match! Tickets are just £5 and available online or on the door.

Fierce Bar is also the new home of The Totally Improvised Musical. We'll be composing brand new comedy musicals every first Tuesday of the month. Our next show there on Tuesday 3rd October - get your tickets here. Fierce Bar is a really exciting space in the heart of Manchester's Northern Quarter with plenty of great shows every week.

Wait, there's more...?

We're back for another season at Waterside Arts starting with ComedySportz on Saturday 23rd September (tickets here). Join us for some award-winning family friendly fun and don't forget to dress up for Halloween Spooktacular in October!

The Totally Improvised Musical will also be returning to Chorley Theatre in September. Then we'll once again be celebrating another ComedySportz birthday there in November.

The New Adelphi Comedy Night will be returning to the University of Salford from next month. A night of improv, stand-up and sketch featuring some of the best and brightest up and coming voices in comedy. The first show is in October - tickets are available on the door only.

And is it too early to start talking about the return of The Totally Improvised Pantomime in December? With family friendly and adults only shows there will be plenty of festive fun! Oh yes there will! Some dates are on sale now with more dates and venues to be added soon...

Improv Comedy and Stand-Up Comedy Courses

Want to get in on the fun yourself but don't know where to start? There is still time and space to sign up to our upcoming Foundation Improv, Intermediate Improv and Beginning Stand-Up Comedy courses. Under expert tutelage, you'll learn core skills, develop new connections and have plenty of fun and laughter with workshops for every level of experience. We also have two remaining scholarship places for global majority applicants - get in touch to find out more.

New to comedy? Our Foundation Improv and Beginning Stand-Up Comedy courses are designed to help you find your feet, hone your voice and build up confidence. Got some improv experience? Try our Intermediate Improv course with deep-dives into specific skills and performance tools to help develop your improv. All courses start Saturday 30th September so don't delay and sign up today!