The Totally Improvised Pantomime Returns!

"Oh yes it does!" Every show is different as our panto players craft a loving pastiche of pantomime tropes and characters using your suggestions. There are even more opportunities to watch this year, with our all ages pantos and, by popular demand, even more adults only shows. Bored of the same old panto stories every year, don't miss this alternative Christmas-time comedy show!

We're back at Waterside Arts for a weekend of family friendly festive fun! Our pantomime players have no idea who they're going to play or what the adventure will. Everything is improvised from your suggestions and a sprinkling of fairy dust!

There are four chances to catch the show over the weekend, including a specially adapted version for ages 6 and under.

9th-10th December - Waterside Arts, Sale TICKETS (5pm and 7pm show on the 10th)

10th December - Wateride Arts, Sale TICKETS (3pm Show for Ages 6 Under)

This year we have just as many adults only pantomimes as family friendly shows... Why should kids have all the fun? It's the same format show but a little bit bawdier and with more innuendo than you can stuff into a panto dame's bra!

6th December - The Peer, Hat Manchester SOLD OUT!

14th December - Fierce Bar, Manchester TICKETS

16th-17th December - Waterside Arts, Sale TICKETS

These will be our last shows of 2022 so don't miss out! We'll be back in January with ComedySportz, ComedySportz 4 Tots, The Totally Improvised Musical and the return of the New Adelphi Comedy Night! Sign up to our mailing list for regular announcements on upcoming shows and workshops.

...Speaking of workshops, there is still time to book a space on our January intake. You can book a space for yourself or give the gift of laughter this Christmas and book for a friend!

21st Birthday Match @ Chorley Theatre!

Is it nearly the end of the year already? That means it's nearly time for us to celebrate 21 years of fun and games at the place where it all began, Chorley Theatre. Join us on Saturday 3rd December for a special Chorley vs. Manchester match, it's the funniest fixture of the weekend!

‘We started in 2001 with just two teams, one ref, no script and lots of jokes. Not much has changed, except our kits!” says Brainne Edge, who started ComedySportz in the UK. "It was a one-off show for charity at Chorley Theatre, and we had no idea what we were doing. Audiences loved it anyway and here we are today... Still not sure we know what we're doing though!"

Since 2001 we have enjoyed residencies at renowned comedy clubs The Frog and Bucket and The Comedy Store and our monthly shows at Waterside Arts. We have played to sold out crowds at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and we won Best Alternative Comedy Act in the 2022 North West Comedy Awards. We have performed shows for everyone from soap stars to royalty and teach regular workshops in improv and stand-up comedy. You can read more about the history of our shows here.

Returning to Chorley Little Theatre is always a highlight of our year and we promise there will be plenty of audience favourite games including object tag in which the audience donate everyday items that players have to turn into props for jokes. Brainne says, “People seem to save up their items and always surprise us! We’ve had everything from a spare tyre to a microwave. Once, someone even took the wing mirror off their car… at least we hope it was theirs!”

Doors open at 7pm and the fun kicks off at 7.30pm. You can book tickets online or direct from the venue box office. This is our last ComedySportz match of the year before our Totally Improvised Pantomimes!

Live Shows Autumn/Winter 2021

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.

Improvised Musical

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.

Online Comedy Courses New Dates for 2021

We're delighted to announce new dates for online comedy courses in the new year. We will be running both Foundation Improv and Beginning Stand-Up comedy courses from January 2021.

Courses are a great way to learn new skills, boost confidence and meet new people. Whether you're a budding comedy performer or someone who just wants to get more confident giving presentations and networking, these courses are great for life on and off stage.

Not sure if a comedy course is right for you? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions. You can also drop us an email - we'll be happy to answer any questions you have about our workshops and courses.

GIVE THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER

You can also book a space on one of our online comedy courses as a gift for friends and family. Just let us know you're booking as a gift when signing up for the course and we'll get in touch to sort out the details. We can also provide gift certificate to present to them over the holidays. So if you know someone who would enjoy one of our comedy courses but just needs a friendly push get in touch today!

ONLINE FOUNDATION IMPROV

Learn the core skills of improvisation in this fun and friendly online course. Sessions will cover "Yes, And", Listening, Characters, Objects, Games and Storytelling. Build confidence, get creative and rediscover your playful side. No experience necessary.

book now for comedysportz online courses

Book a space on the course here. If you're booking as a gift please include the information of who the course is for (name, email address). We can also email you a gift certificate to present to them. Not sure if an improv course is right for you? Find out more here.

ONLINE BEGINNING STAND-UP COMEDY

Write and deliver your first stand-up comedy routine with this interactive online course! Develop your comedic voice in a supportive environment with regular feedback. Sessions cover everything from writing gags to landing gigs. No experience necessary.

online stand up comedy course

Book a space on the course here. If you're booking as a gift please include the information of who the course is for (name, email address). We can also email you a gift certificate to present to them. Not sure if a Stand-Up comedy course is right for you? Find out more here.

IMPROV DROP-INS

In the meantime we're running a couple more improv drop-ins in December before taking a short winter hiatus. However, we will be running free festive improv jams over the holidays. These jams will be an opportunity to play improv and party games and keep connected over the winter break. Find out more about drop-ins and jams here.

online improv drop-in classes

Our courses and workshop leaders are fully accredited by CSz Worldwide, one of the world's largest comedy and performance schools.

About Our Workshops

Upcoming Online Shows

Improv Double Bill - Tickets On Sale NOW!

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.

BOOK TICKETS NOW!

All Upcoming Shows

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