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.

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!

Comedy Courses on Sale for September!

We can finally announce that our comedy courses will return Saturday September 30th 2023. The following courses are running from September:

FOUNDATION IMPROV

Learn the core skills and tenets of improvisation with this fun and friendly course. Each session will focus on a key skill; "Yes, And", Listening, Character, Objects, Story, Scenes and Games. Great for developing new performance skills, building confidence in communication (great for networking) and rediscovering your creativity! No previous experience necessary. More Info/Book Now

BEGINNING STAND-UP COMEDY

Write, develop and perform your first five minute set with this course. Each session will help you find your comedic voice, hone your on stage persona and craft your material with feedback from your tutor and peers. Great for anyone looking to develop comedic writing and delivery skills or build confidence in public speaking! No previous experience necessary. More Info/Book Now

INTERMEDIATE IMPROV

Continue to develop your improv skills as each week hones in on a specific skillset. We're still developing our curriculum for September with more new and exciting classes. Previous improv experience will be assumed. More Info/Book Now

comedy workshops manchester

WHEN/WHERE/HOW MUCH?

Workshops run for 8 sessions in the rehearsal spaces in the New Adelphi Building at The University of Salford. Due to venue unavailability, there will be two skip weeks so the course will conclude Saturday 2nd December. There are plenty of nearby paid parking options nearby and the building is just a short walk from Salford Crescent Station and several major bus routes. The venue is fully accessible.

We continually work to keep our comedy courses as affordable as possible and you can pay in full now or put down a £30 non-refundable deposit. Both the Foundation Improv and Beginning Stand-Up Comedy courses are £115 including the deposit. Intermediate Improv is £75 (also includes deposit). Alternatively, you can attend the intermediate sessions as a drop-in (£10 per session).

THERE ARE TWO FULL SCHOLARSHIP SPACES AVAILABLE for global majority applicants to the Foundation Improv course. Interested? Don't hesitate to get in touch as one of the three available spaces has already been claimed!

You can also book a space on any of these courses as a gift for friends, family or a colleague. You must pay IN FULL at time of booking. Please leave a note when making the booking that this is a gift including the recipients name. We will then contact you for the information of the person you have made the booking for and to send you a gift certificate.

Sign up to our mailing list for regular updates on all upcoming shows and workshops. Alternatively, follow us on social media for all the latest news! We are proudly part of CSz Worldwide and our workshop leaders are fully accredited.

Workshops Starting To Fill Up!

Spaces for our April/May one-day workshops are starting to fill up - with some nearly full already. Don't miss out on a space and book today. The full list of workshops are:

Stand-Up Comedy "Your Next 5 Minutes" | Saturday 22nd April | 12-4pm | The Adelphi Building, University of Salford | £30 | Some previous experience essential

This workshop is for comics looking to workshop new ideas or explore alternative ways for generating fresh material. It's a great opportunity to reinvigorate your creative energy and test jokes within a supportive space.

Sketch Writing | Saturday 22nd April |1-5pm | The Adelphi Building, University of Salford | £30 | No previous experience necessary

Discover ways of approaching sketch writing that delivers on the promise of your comedic premise from set-up to killer punchline. This workshop is nearly full - so book today to reserve your space!

Musical Improv | Saturday 29th April |12-5pm | The Adelphi Building, University of Salford | £50 | Some previous experience preferable (but no singing ability necessary!)

Explore the secrets of improvised songs! Take the fear out of musical improv games and scenes by focusing on character's wants and emotions. Discover simple tips to create showstopping improvised songs in the moment!

Improv Crash Course | Saturday 6th May|12-3pm | The Adelphi Building, University of Salford | £30 | No previous experience necessary

Never tried improv before? Then this workshop is for you! We'll be covering core ideas and skills from our 8 week course in this fun and friendly taster session.

Intro to Longform Improv | Saturday 6th May |2-5pm | The Adelphi Building, University of Salford | £30 | Some previous experience preferable

Explore the possibilities of improv by looking at how to construct longer narratives, explore characters more deeply and experience alternative improv formats.

You can book onto any of these sessions here. Each booking includes a non-refundable £10 deposit.

Looking for something a little longer? We hope to announce our next batch of 8 week courses for after summer 2023 very soon. You can email us directly to register your interest in a course. Alternatively, sign up to our mailing list for monthly updates on all of our upcoming shows and workshops.