Bright Lights, Big City Impro at the Edinburgh Fringe

City Impro’s Edinburgh Comedy Debut!

Following sold-out shows at the Camden and Brighton Fringes, six talented improvisers barrel through the funnies in City Impro’s debut Edinburgh Fringe show. Come and strap yourself in for a rip-roaring roller-coaster of laughter from improvisers at the top of their game. Suggestions provided by you inspire an epic series of improvised comedy games, sketches and songs. Recommended by Time Out and the Evening Standard. Limited run only!

  • ‘Incredibly good’ **** (ArtsAwardVoice.com)
  • ‘A Masterclass in improvised comedy’ **** (remotegoat.com)

City Impro’s guide to Improv at the Camden Fringe 2017

For those of you who aren’t going to Edinburgh this year, but still want fringe-style improv, the Camden Fringe (which kicks off on the 31st July) has something for everyone.

I’ve poured over the Camden Fringe brochure and the 270+ shows to see what might wet your appetite during the 12th Camden Fringe.

Obsessions

31 July-2 August – 21:00 – Hen and Chickens

Anne Zander, Abbey Kos and Rebecca Schuster take to the stage to explore sex, secrets, social anxiety, and the obsessions that colour their lives. I’ve seen Rebecca and Abbey perform in various groups at our Water Poet shows and the Shoreditch Improv festival where they’ve been fantastic, so I’m really looking forward to seeing this show.

Artificial Intelligence Improvisation

31 July-1 August – 20:30 – Etcetera Theatre

I’ve seen Piotr do his one man/one robot show a few times and each time it blows me away how the AI responds in the scenes and the effort that must be required to program it all. The two man/two robots show has been going a little while and I’ve heard some great stuff about it, especially as the two performers are in completely different countries. Hope the theatre has a good broadband connection!

The Parentheticals: Improdyssey

5 August – 15:30 – The Water Rats
6 August – 13:30 – The Water Rats

At one time they were known for being the largest improv group in London, although I’m not sure it was ever verified as an official record! It’s been a joy watching the Parentheticals over the last few years and how they’ve grown together as a group and how their formats have evolved. The Parentheticals are such a joy to watch and I’m looking forward to their quest show. They also host an excellent monthly night in London called Bracket Racket which I also recommend checking out.

Arfie Becomes Everyone

5-6 August – 15:30 – The Bill Murray

Arfie did a 15-minute preview of this solo-prov show at one of our Water Poet shows where he played chief astronaut (with the audience as cadets). The show was very funny, really engaging and it felt like you were fully in the world that he created with his character. Arfie is a great improviser and I can’t wait to see the full version of his show at Camden.

LiveWired Comedy Improvisation

7 August – 19:30 – London Improv Theatre

The fantastic house team at the London Improv Theatre are bringing their long-running show to the Fringe. Lots of fun games, scenes and songs, and a great way to spend an evening.

The Quest

14 August – 19:30 – London Improv Theatre

The second show at the Camden Fringe from the house team at the London Improv Theatre. I’ve not seen them do this format but I like the description of two heroes being sent on a quest with the journey decided by the audience.

Extreme Championship Improv

20-23 August – 21:30 – Camden Comedy Club

I’ll admit to not having seen any Sparky Buddy Productions shows before, but looking at their website they’ve been pretty busy the last few years. I like the idea of taking games, mixing in the spirit of MMA and wrestling and then putting extreme twists on things. Definitely one of the higher-energy shows of the Camden Fringe.

A Machine for Fools

21-22 August – 18:30 – Etcetera Theatre

Stephen Davidson (one of London’s hardest working improvisers) is one of the people behind this show and I love the idea of using short-form improv as a means of making social statements. I’m told there’s also going to be some clowns in the show so I’m looking forward to seeing how it all pans out.

Lastly but not least I couldn’t resist a shameless plug for City Impro’s show:

Improv Deathmatch

4-5, 11-12 August – 22:15 – Aces & Eights

We’ve brought Improv Deathmatch back for a third year as we love the late-night atmosphere of the Camden Fringe and we’ve had some really brilliant audiences in previous years. We’ve lined up some great teams for this year to battle it out over a series of games to see who can make the audience laugh hardest. Join us for what promises to be an epic four nights.

Zeal: The Pride Improv Festival hosted by C3Something!

City Impro are thrilled to be taking part in Zeal: The Pride Improv Festival!

We’ll be performing a fast-paced set of games and scenes alongside some great acts in support of a wonderful cause.

Music Box will perform a one-act comedy musical based on a title and a location from the audience. Songs are plucked from thin air and stories and characters created on the spot! With support from Jesus Lopez’s improvised songs in Impossible? No, thanks.

There will also be a Mixer Team put together especially for the festival, clowning fun from Beyond the Ridiculous, a special team of C3? house players “Rainbow Something” and a Diversity Jam!

Edinburgh Preview Show: Bright Lights, Big City Impro

Book tickets here!

For one night only, City Impro will be bringing their Edinburgh debut show to the Museum of Comedy.

Watch these improvisers at the top of their game in a rip-roaring rollercoaster of improvised comedy. Using audience suggestions, they will create an epic series of fast-paced games, scenes and songs for a once in a lifetime (no really!) performance.

City Impro are a London based improv comedy group established in 2013. They have performed their signature brand of no holds barred improv around London, the UK as well as at international comedy festivals.

“The masters of improvisation” – TimeOut
“Incredibly Good” – ★★★★ Arts Award Voice

City Impro by the Sea – Brighton Fringe 2017 Show

Book tickets here!

City Impro return to the Brighton Fringe with their brand new show “City Impro by the Sea”.

City Impro by the Sea is an adrenaline-fuelled improvised comedy show where there’s just enough time to catch your breath as the cast of six improvisers race from one game to another. Join us for a rip-roaring roller-coaster of laughter where everything is made up on the spot. Bring your best and craziest suggestions for an afternoon that will be silly, that will be fun, and that will never ever be repeated again.

City Impro have been performing together for over 3 and a half years, hosting their own regular improvised comedy night in Shoreditch. The groups contains performers from the worlds of theatre, finance, accountancy and even law. City Impro have performed 2 sell-out runs at the Camden Fringe and their show has been recommended by the London Evening Standard, Time Out, Thinking Bob as well as their parents.

“Incredibly good – ****” – Arts Award Voice
“The masters of improvisation” – Time Out
“City Impro are the improv kings” – YPlan

City Impro by the Sea – Brighton Fringe 2017 Show

Book tickets here!

City Impro return to the Brighton Fringe with their brand new show “City Impro by the Sea”.

City Impro by the Sea is an adrenaline-fuelled improvised comedy show where there’s just enough time to catch your breath as the cast of six improvisers race from one game to another. Join us for a rip-roaring roller-coaster of laughter where everything is made up on the spot. Bring your best and craziest suggestions for an afternoon that will be silly, that will be fun, and that will never ever be repeated again.

City Impro have been performing together for over 3 and a half years, hosting their own regular improvised comedy night in Shoreditch. The groups contains performers from the worlds of theatre, finance, accountancy and even law. City Impro have performed 2 sell-out runs at the Camden Fringe and their show has been recommended by the London Evening Standard, Time Out, Thinking Bob as well as their parents.

“Incredibly good – ****” – Arts Award Voice
“The masters of improvisation” – Time Out
“City Impro are the improv kings” – YPlan

City Impro by the Sea – Brighton Fringe 2017 Show

Book tickets here!

City Impro return to the Brighton Fringe with their brand new show “City Impro by the Sea”.

City Impro by the Sea is an adrenaline-fuelled improvised comedy show where there’s just enough time to catch your breath as the cast of six improvisers race from one game to another. Join us for a rip-roaring roller-coaster of laughter where everything is made up on the spot. Bring your best and craziest suggestions for an afternoon that will be silly, that will be fun, and that will never ever be repeated again.

City Impro have been performing together for over 3 and a half years, hosting their own regular improvised comedy night in Shoreditch. The groups contains performers from the worlds of theatre, finance, accountancy and even law. City Impro have performed 2 sell-out runs at the Camden Fringe and their show has been recommended by the London Evening Standard, Time Out, Thinking Bob as well as their parents.

“Incredibly good – ****” – Arts Award Voice
“The masters of improvisation” – Time Out
“City Impro are the improv kings” – YPlan

Improv Deathmatch at The Camden Fringe

Not going to Edinburgh? Do Not Fret! City Impro are bringing the Improv Deathmatch to the Camden Fringe!

Improv Deathmatch is City Impro’s adrenaline-fuelled improvised comedy show where two teams go head to head in the ultimate battle to see who can make the audience laugh hardest and be crowned the winner.

Everything you see on stage is made up on the spot. It’s a different show every night with different challenges and different teams. It’s not your bog-standard comedy show!

“A fast paced show that will definitely put a smile on your face – ★★★★” Arts Award Voice.

Tickets are £5

Show starts at 10.15pm

Every weekend in August… Sat 6th, Fri 12th, Sat 13th, Fri 19th, Sat 20th, Fri 26th & Sat 27th

Get your tickets here

Twitter: @cityimpro

Web: www.cityimpro.com

5 Must See London Comedy Shows in 2016

With the misery of dry January, broken resolutions and the bitter London cold, it’s no wonder winter blues have started to creep in.  Luckily for all of us there’s the thriving London comedy and improvised comedy scene to get us through it all.  Unhappily your chosen night of light hearted chortling can easily go wrong if you choose the wrong gig and end up watching desperate jerky comics look into your eyes pleading you to laugh.  To save you the awkward faking we’ve compiled in date order the list of the best improvised comedy and stand up in 2016.

Number 1 – Shoreditch Improv Festival (19th, 20th & 21st February)
Perhaps proof that improv is now mainstream and trendy, and the newest addition to the list, this festival boasts 30 of the best performing groups improvising everything from musicals to science fiction plays to puppet shows to improvised comedy street art tours of Shoreditch. There’s even a workshop for any people interested in learning a few skills of their own.  Best to book in advance!

http://www.cityimpro.com/shoreditch-improv-festival-2016-ticket-sales/

Number 2 – LOCO Comedy Film Festival (14th – 24th April)
This festival promotes comedy in the film format and is held all over the city in places such as the BFI Imax, Hackney Picture House, and the Ritzy Brixton.  The opportunity to see the up and coming directors and actors in a cinema setting lets you kick back in comfort while you chortle your way through the films.  Alternatively attend the award ceremonies at the end to see the best of the bunch.

http://locofilmfestival.com/welcome/

Number 3 – Udderbelly Festival (7th Apr – 17th July)
The now established and iconic 400 seater upside down purple cow theatre is in its 9th year of confusing tourists and exciting Londoners alike. Holding shows that allow fans of famous comics like Lee Nelson, Jimmy Carr, and many more laugh the night away. Take them and all the other acts in with a summer cider and the sun by Southbank.

http://www.udderbelly.co.uk/

Number 4 – Hoopla Summer Improv Festival (July)
With around 30 groups performing over 2 days, Hoopla is a hub for all improvising groups in London.  As masters of teaching and hosting there’s opportunities to see the professors at their best as well as many now famous alumni attending.  Make sure you check out their owner, Steve Roe on stage to see comedy at its best.

http://www.hooplaimpro.com/

Number 5 – Camden Fringe Festival (1st – 28th August)
Although it has the wider performing arts in mind, the Camden Fringe has over 15 different venues planned all over the borough this year with performances including stand-up, sketch comedy, comic plays, and London Improv.  The perfect alternative to long and expensive journey to Edinburgh when cutting edge comedians are sitting on your very doorstep or performing down the road.

http://camdenfringe.com/