We were due to bring ComedySportz to a new city centre venue last March and then lockdown hit. We were then going to launch in October... and Manchester was put into Tier 4. Now third time's the charm as we bring our shows to Lock 91 starting Thursday 29th July. This will be a new monthly venue for us and we're kicking off with an improv double bill featuring the brilliant Absolute Onions!
Never seen ComedySportz before? It's comedy's funniest fixture as two teams go for gold with quick-witted gags and games in this all action, all improvised competitive comedy show. There's a referee on hand to ensure a good clean match with penalties for bad behaviour and bad jokes. Who wins? YOU decide!
Then we've got the fantastic Absolute Onions and their Improv Karaoke! They'll take a Karaoke classic chosen by the audience and perform an improvised narrative that will uncover the surprising real story behind that song! So pour the Prosecco, spin your disco balls and get ready to drop the mic! “Very Clever!” Number9reviews
Moving forward ComedySportz will be performing at Lock 91 on the last Thursday of every month! We hope you'll join us for an unscripted, unpredictable and unmissable night out!
PLEASE NOTE: Due to their licence Lock 91 is an adults only venue. So, whilst ComedySportz will still be playing it clean, families with children are not able to attend this show.
We're delighted to be returning to Buxton Fringe Festival this month! We can't wait to be back with some all action, all improvised competitive comedy for all ages. As venues open up we hope you'll join us for some much needed fun and laughter!
We'll be at The Old Clubhouse, part of Underground Venues on Saturday 24th July at 4pm and Sunday 25th July at 1pm. Shows run approx. one hour with tickets ranging from £5-8.
Never seen ComedySportz before? Two teams compete for your laughs with gags and games inspired by audience suggestions. There's a referee on hand to ensure a good clean match with penalties for bad behaviour and bad jokes. The teams have washed their kits and sharpened their wits - all that's missing is YOU! ComedySportz is the funniest fixture of the fringe!
We're one of only a handful of family friendly shows at Buxton Fringe this year so don't miss out and book here!
We've got loads of LIVE and ONLINE shows this month to keep you entertained with more all action, all improvised competitive comedy for all ages!
First of all we want to say a big thank you to everyone who joined us for our first live shows since early 2020 in May! We hope you had a fun and safe time and can't wait to see you all again at our next live match at Waterside Arts on Saturday 26th June. We'll be back with ComedySportz (book now) and ComedySportz 4 Tots (book now)!
We're also continuing our online matches every Wednesday and first Saturday of the month at 7pm BST. You can watch tonight's match by following the video below - don't forget to subscribe to our youtube channel and never miss a match!
We're also delighted to be joining our friends at Comedy Club 4 Kids at The Core at Corby Cube on Saturday 12th June for some afternoon fun (book now)! For this month's full line up visit our shows page today.
And the fun doesn't stop there! In July there's the ComedySportz Worldwide online championship and we'll be bringing ComedySportz to the Buxton Fringe Festival and Lock 91 in Manchester - more details coming soon! Subscribe to our newsletter to get monthly updates on all upcoming shows and workshops.
With England on course to hit the next stage of the post-lockdown roadmap on May 17th we are extremely hopeful that live shows will return from the end of this month! We are delighted to announce you can now book tickets for ComedySportz and ComedySportz 4 Tots on 29th May 2021 at Waterside Arts, Sale.
ComedySportz is the all action, all improvised competitive comedy show for all ages you don't want to miss! Our teams are ready to go for comedy gold with unscripted gags and games inspired by your suggestions. They've sharpened their wits and ironed their kits for what promises to be a fantastic return to live shows. Who wins? YOU decide!
We are making some temporary changes to keep shows fun and safe for players and audience alike. You can find out more about some of the changes we're making in the video below:
We will continue to follow government guidelines as they are updated and may put additional measures in place before the show. The venue will also have their own COVID safety measures in place - you can find out more about these when booking or by contacting box office directly. After booking you will receive an email from Waterside detailing the safety measures in place for the show. In the unfortunate event that our May show is unable to go ahead you will be able to transfer your tickets to future shows or get a refund.
Not ready to return to live shows yet? We're continuing our online shows on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7pm BST (schedule may change as more venues open up with more live shows returning). Subscribe to our youtube channel today and never miss a show!
If you've been watching BBC's fun new show This Is My House, you might have spotted a familiar face! Dalu joined ComedySportz at the start of 2020 and was about to have his first live show with us when lockdown was announced. Below he reflects on his journey into comedy and shares some of the lessons and advice he has learned over the last two years.
My Journey through comedy has been a great experience within the last 2 years. It initially started with me continually acting like a clown and telling bad jokes at home. My wife having had enough of my poor jokes, decided for Christmas 2019 to get me a place on the Beginning Stand Up coursewith ComedySportz Manchester.
My tutor was John Cooper a great tutor who gave us insight on the important factors of stand-up both in theory and practical application, it was brilliant meeting new people I still to this day maintain a relationship with. At the end of the course there was a showcase to which we all performed a 5-7 min stand up gig, from there we as a group continued to do stand-up gigs across Manchester and support one another within chasing the dream, which was really nice to do feeling like you’re not alone chasing something, whilst also learning and developing with others.
I have always enjoyed acting from a young age, and for many years left that dream to pursue the corporate ladder, and at 35 the itch returned with full effect. At the time I was taking the stand up course I was also in a play with my church developing acting foundations, skills and experience. And by Spring 2019 I was completely back in love with performance so I requested as a birthday present the Comedysportz Foundation Improv course, which I thoroughly enjoyed as I got to combine the elements of performance I enjoy most, comedy, improv and storytelling.
Comedy Improv has taught me a number of things:
Follow your instinct - allow for your natural self to come out.
Character development and commitment- focusing on what makes the character unique.
Allow your mind to wonder- in adulthood we are taught to constrict thoughts, ideas and dreams. Improv allows you to completely do the opposite of that. It helped me embrace my inner child again 😊
For those who are not sure improv is for them I would say, ‘what have you got to lose’? The course is 6 weeks of fun, frolics and a great chance to make a good bunch of friends with similar interests.
The improv course helped in all aspects of my life; in my day job, in my presentation and communication skills, in team working and developing ideas outside the box. For 6 weeks of fun in a safe workshop environment it certainly will help anyone in need of a confidence booster.
As a performer it really helped me refresh, refine and learn so much more about delivery, timing, engagement with audiences and thinking on the spot. Without ComedySportz Manchester, and of course my wife, I wouldn’t have been complete in the last year.
Whilst everyone’s journey is different these skills have allowed me to pursue my dream career. So far I have said “Yes, And” to:
5 paid web infomercials/commercials.
2 Voice over roles
Over 100 online shows – as a member of ComedySportz now
Two episodes of BBC One’s new game show This Is My House (where the casting criteria was specifically for ‘Improv Actors’)
I'm plotting to write a sitcom, with another new friend I met via ComedySportz courses.
Whatever your reasons for taking an Improv course, do it – it might just change your life!
Inspired by Dalu's story? We still have a couple of spaces left on our next Online Foundation Improv Course. It's a great way to build confidence, get creative and make new connections. Whilst we can't guarantee that everyone who completes the course will get to appear on a prime time BBC One show (we really can't), we can guarantee lots of fun! And you don't need a performance background or desire to be on stage or screen, like Dalu says, learning improv skills allows you to develop communication and confidence whatever your background or reason for taking the course. The next course starts Thursday 8th April - book now!
To mark Dalu's TV appearance we devised a ref challenge inspired by This Is My House. We have online shows every Wednesday and Saturday at 7pm BST. Don't forget to to subscribe to our youtube channel and never miss a match.
This Is My House airs on BBC One Wednesday's at 9pm BST. You can catch Dalu's episodes on BBC iPlayer.
