Your essential guide to the London improv scene

Note this is a demonstration site. Please contact us for more information.

We have a wealth of opportunities in London to experience improv, from courses to workshops and jams through to live shows, there are so many ways you can get involved.

Read on for information about jam sessions, workshops and shows to help you explore and discover more about this amazing art form. From complete novice to experienced improviser London has something for everyone. Get out there and start playing today!

New to improv? Click here for beginners classes and workshops

Improv jams

A jam session is the place to go for an improv quick fix. Here are some of the regularly scheduled jams where improvisers get together and practise their skills in a supportive environment.

The following jams are open to all levels

Duck Duck Goose

Free - Brixton

Jam followed by show

Jokepit Short-form Jam

£5 - Shoreditch

The Simprov Drop-in

£7 - Leadenhall Street

Self-Improv-Ment Drop-In

£12.65 - Clerkenwell

Scrimmage! Improv Fight Night

£7.50 - Clapham North

Jam followed by show

Leapday

£10.25 - Covent Garden

AdLibretto improvised singing jam

£10 - Shoreditch

Jam followed by show

The following jams are for experienced improvisers

Jokepit Longform is My Jam

£5 - Old Street

Ideal for experienced improvisers who would like to practice longform

The Forest Jam

£3.50 - Forest Hill

Experienced improvisers can apply to perform in the pre-show jam session

Workshops

Drop-in workshops are a great way to learn from experienced instructors without signing up to a full course, and also to continue learning after completing a course.

The following workshops are suitable for all levels

The London Improv Theatre

£25 - Camden Town

Balancing Act Theatre

Free - Charing Cross

Theatre workshop which includes improv games

Showup Collective

£18 - Walthamstow

Save by buying 3 sessions for £50 or 10 for £100

Act Up Drama and Improv Workshop

£13.69 - Canning Town

Act'in Theatre

£42 - Southwark

Drama and improv workshops

Comediasians Improv Workshops

£42 - Southwark

Workshops for POC community and allies

Do the Right Scene Crash Landing

£10 - London Bridge

Monthly workshop for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic improvisers

LGBTQ+ Improv Workshop

Free - Bankside

Monthly workshop for LGBTQ+ people

QI: Queer Improv Workshop and Show

Free - London Bridge

Monthly workshop and show for LGBTQ+ people produced with Hoopla

The following workshops are suitable for intermediate and advanced improvisers

Hoopla

£29.51 - Liverpool Street

Hoopla has a wide range of intermediate and advanced workshops

Blanche Improv

£20-£30 - Earls Court

Regular weekly drop-in classes

Leapday

£25-£40 - Covent Garden

Regular monthly workshops

Maria Peters Specialist Workshops

£110 - Earls Court

Master classes with this improv great presented by Hoopla

Scenes Inspired by Stephen King

£79.05 - Warren Street

Specialist workshop with Katy Schutte presented by Hoopla

Upcoming improv shows

For a great night out in London go see an improv show! There are loads of performances happening all over town and we particularly recommend seeing a show if you are planning on studying improv.

Probably the best in comedy improv are the The Comedy Store Players who have been regularly selling out on Sunday evenings since 1985. Period drama fans should check out award-winning Austentatious who create a brand new Jane Austen novel at every show.

Shoot from the Hip provide slick, fast-paced laughs along with lots of merch for their loyal fans. Musical improv virtuosos Showstopper! perform a completely unique musical at their shows.

If you are considering taking a course at any of the three main improv schools in London, Blanche Improv , Hoopla, or The Free Association, we recommend seeing one of their shows, especially an end of course show, to see if you like the style of improv. The schools each have a huge range of performances so we won’t list them all. Click on the following links for their show listings:

Blanche Improv Earl's Court
Hoopla London Bridge and Liverpool Street
The Free Association Southwark

Following is a list of upcoming shows Grapevine recommends: