We can't believe we're two thirds of the way through the year already. As venues continue to re-open, we still have plenty of live improv shows to keep you entertained for the rest of 2021 including our Totally Improvised Musical and our 20th Birthday weekend! Read on for more info...
Virtual Shows
We understand that not everyone can join us for our live improv shows and we'll be continuing our online ComedySportz matches on the first Saturday of every month. Online shows are free to watch - subscribe to our youtube channel now to never miss a match. You can watch our September show at the link below. The stream will go live at 6.45pm BST with the fun kicking off at 7pm BST on Saturday 4th September.
Comedy Club 4 Kids
We've got even more shows lined up with our friends at Comedy Club 4 Kids, including a very busy day on Saturday 4th September with shows in Nottingham and Coventry! We'll be sure to add more dates in the coming months so keep an eye out on our social media channels for announcements!
Waterside Arts
After a summer hiatus for renovations, we're back at Waterside Arts from Saturday 11th September with ComedySportz and ComedySportz 4 Tots. We have monthly dates into summer 2022 which are on sale now. We'll also be doing another Halloween themed special in October - more details coming soon!
Totally Improvised Musical
Over 18 months since we were first meant to do our opening night of The Totally Improvised Musical, we're pleased to announce the show will finally be coming to The Peer Hat in Manchester this October. Tickets will be going on sale soon - keep an eye on social media for announcements.
20th Birthday Weekend
This year marks 20 years of fun and games! To celebrate this milestone year we have a full weekend of shows to keep you laughing. We're kicking off the weekend at the theatre where it all began, Chorley Theatre, on Friday 19th November for another Chorley vs. Manchester special. If that's not enough all action, all improvised competitive comedy for you we then have ComedySportz and ComedySportz 4 Tots at Waterside Arts on Saturday 20th November. Tickets are available now - this is one weekend you won't want to miss!
Improvised Pantomimes
To finish off the year we are delighted to announce the return of our improvised pantomimes- oh yes we are! There are plenty of opportunities to catch shows at Waterside Arts this December, including a Tots special and a brand new adults only special as well!
...and more!
We'll be sure to have more live improv shows and events to announce in the coming weeks and months. Subscribe to our mailing list for monthly announcements of upcoming shows, events and workshop.
Workshops
What's that you say? Workshops? That's right, we're pleased to announce that in person workshops will be returning from the first week of October!
We'll be doing a full announcement later in the week but you can still drop us an email to register interest in our courses and we'll send you all the details soon!
Safety
We'll still be operating our COVID safety measures to ensure a fun but safe nights entertainment for audience and players. Our venues may still be operating their own safety protocols.
Book Now
We can't wait to see you at shows - thank you for continuing to support live and livestream comedy! You can find more information on all upcoming shows for 2021 on our shows page.
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'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!
