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!
Our ComedySportz match this Saturday (20th March) marks one year of online shows since the world first went into Lockdown last spring. We hope you'll join us for this very special match with a very special guest player!
Never seen a ComedySportz match before? Two teams go for comedy gold with quick-witted gags and games inspired by your suggestions. It's an all action, all improvised competitive comedy show for all ages with a referee ensuring a good clean match! Who wins? YOU decide! Shows stream every Wednesday and Saturday at 7pm GMT via our youtube channel. Subscribe today and never miss a match!
Last year we had no choice but to "Yes, And" the situation and since then we've done nearly 150 online shows and performed to audiences all over the world. Thank you to everyone that has supported us and laughed with us during this time. This past year has seen plenty of challenges but also, hopefully, plenty of laughs as well.
Our players have kept innovating and inspiring with their creativity and commitment to fun and laughter. We asked some of our players and fans to share what a year of laughs in lockdown has meant to them.
Bron refs our very first online show overcoming new and exciting technical problems!
BRON EDGE:
The team really came together to figure out how we could keep connected to our fans. I love this new connectivity we have to the audience, and how our audience can also chat with each other about the show.... or whatever else they are thinking! I'm going to miss that when we are back on a stage, at least I hope people aren't going to be chatting through the show...
It has been lovely to see the spirit of Yes And seep into the audience as well, one audience member even found out that another desperately wanted a specific jumper knitted... and they knitted it for them!
JOHN COOPER:
Its amazing to see how the online shows have develop in the last year. From the beginnings of figuring out zoom and how well a show could even work, to experimenting and finding great new games that really only work online like Art Critic and Story Draw....where I get to draw.....what's not to like ??
KATE McCABE:
I think it's highlighted how important is is to be agile. Not just as an improviser but as a person. One positive is that people have been agile WITH us. Joining us on YouTube and cheering us on while we try new games and keep the good times rolling.
Ben and housemate Harry during a live show!
BEN HODGE:
Starting with ComedySportz online has been such an interesting challenge! Adapting to this new way of performing has been eye-opening and also loads of fun. It has given me the chance to play with so many different people who I may not have had a chance to meet and improvise with otherwise. It's great for connecting with our international friends and having the opportunity to play with them!
SEAN MASON:
Even though lockdown has kept us apart, going online has kept us connected to our CSz Worldwide family and fans. The last year has shown just how positive a force improvisation can be as it gives us the tools and creative mindset to solve problems and adapt. It has been a real joy to keep doing shows and workshops online - a lifeline really.
Being able to develop new games, new ways of playing and connecting has actually been really fun. I am ready to get back into live shows soon though!
Dalu never fails to surprise with his endless supply of wigs.
DALU THEBE:
From starting Comedysportz Manchester most if not all my matches have been played online. This I have found useful in practices, getting to know new games and particularly in allowing me to use and gather props, something that perhaps wouldn't have happened in live shows. (EDITOR'S NOTE: We're not sure if Dalu is going to manage without his trusty Marge Simpson wig. We're not sure the audience will either).
The technology has allowed the show to continue throughout lockdown and has been a constant source of much needed fun and silliness.
Felix getting his team into trouble for timing Chris Tavner's refereeing!
FELIX JANEWAY:
Performing online has shown me that improv is liquid. It has the ability to fill whatever space we give it, and virtual space has offered us new nooks to play in; using backgrounds, props, music and video to make multi-layer jokes which aren't possible in other formats.
I play with Comedysportz for connection and that aspect has not only been unchanged, it has broadened to include connection to anyone anywhere (technology permitting).
The main challenge I have faced is not being able to perform with members of the troupe who are unable to play online, but it has been brilliant to get into the nitty gritty of the structure of the match, the roles which support the match and all the technology we can use to support it.
Even online we've still been able to make use of audience volunteers.
LUCY RYAN (FAN):
We started watching the online Comedysportz shows when they started back in March 2020 – and they have been what has kept us going throughout lockdown. In the misery of lockdown the Comedysportz shows have been the one thing that have always been guaranteed to make us all (adults and children alike) laugh. Laugh out loud, real belly laughs., laugh until we are crying. The humour is genuinely warm – never unkind or mean-spirited – and the shows are deliberately accessible to as wide a range of people as possible. But more than just making us laugh, the Comedysportz shows have created a community; you always know you can show up and “join in". In a year where social interaction had been so lacking THAT is more valuable than I can describe. Thank you everyone at Comedysportz.
JOAN MYERS (FAN):
My husband Jeff and I have been fans of CSz Buffalo in USA since 2006. We had the honor of seeing Manchester perform at the World Championships in Philadelphia in 2019. They are a very talented group. When the pandemic hit and closed everything we started watching Buffalo on ZOOM. We then started to find other ComedySportz cities to watch. Manchester is our go to since it is on at 2 pm our time. We love it because we get to see several games not played in Buffalo. My favorite is Karaoke. We think everyone is very funny and look forward to our Wednesdays and Saturdays. We also love their take on Star Trek. That is totally hilarious!! Although we really haven’t met most of them personally, we love them all and consider them friends. Will miss seeing the shows when live performances start back. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Don't worry, even when live shows return we're going to keep doing online shows as well).
Hit the video above to catch this Saturday's anniversary match. We are delighted to be joined by CSz founder Dick Chudnow. Dick started ComedySportz in the USA in 1984 and we're very excited to have him join us for this online match.
The stream goes live at 6.45pm GMT and the match kicks off at 7pm GMT. As always our online shows are family friendly and free to watch - however donations are gratefully received and go directly to our players.
All being well, our return to live shows with distanced audiences is now only a couple of months away but we'll be continuing with our online shows and workshops too. Subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates on all of our upcoming online and live events. Got a favourite memory of our online shows? We'd love to hear from you!
Looking for laughs this week? Need a show that is going to keep the whole family entertained? We've got free shows and jams to keep you entertained with festive fun and games during this Christmas week!
Family Friendly Improv Shows 23rd & 26th December
Bored of the same old repeats on TV during the holiday season? We have two shows this week to keep you entertained with gags and games aplenty! Subscribe today and never miss a match.
Free Improv Jam 22nd December
Want to get involved in the festive fun? We're hosting an evening of free improv and party games open to all levels of experience. Take part as much as you like or just pop along for a laugh. Join the jam here.
If you're looking for some improv games to play at home with family this Christmas we have pages from our book available for free here. All of our events are free but if you would like to donate or join in our winter merch campaign then follow this link.
Don't forget it's still not too late to sign up to our 2021 courses in Improv or Stand-Up comedy. Book now - a space on one of our courses is a great gift for a friend... or for yourself!
UPDATE: Unfortunately Tier 3 restrictions in Manchester mean that Lock 91 is closed for the next few weeks. We hope to book new dates in as soon as possible. In the meantime you can catch our online shows on youtube every Wednesday and Saturday and tickets are on sale now for our 19th Birthday show at Chorley Theatre in November.
We can't wait to be laughing live again and we hope you can join us. We'll soon be posting all the ways that we're adapting shows to ensure an as safe as possible time for everyone.
COMEDYSPORTZ UK
Two teams. One ref. No script. Lots of laughs!
ComedySportz sees 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. Join us for an evening of totally unscripted, utterly unpredictable and absolutely unmissable laughs. Who wins? YOU decide! (Find out more)
"…a non-stop stream of gags, sketches and general hilarity." Lancashire Evening Post
"…real winners are the happy audience… hilariously entertaining." Buxton Festival Fringe
ABSOLUTE ONIONS: IMPROV KARAOKE!
Absolute Onions 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! (Find out more)
"Very Clever!" Number9reviews
The show will start at 7.30pm to ensure finishing before the current 10pm Curfew. If the event needs to be cancelled then tickets will be refunded ASAP. We will be following COVID Secure guidelines to ensure a safe 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 can't wait to be laughing live again and we hope you can join us. We'll soon be posting all the ways that we're adapting shows to ensure an as safe as possible time for everyone.