It’s around two months before Brighton Fringe 2020 kicks-off, and, oh, how things have changed for improv over the past 15 years! When The Maydays took part in their first improv show at the Marlborough Pub theatre, we were one of a tiny handful of improvisation companies in the area, which included Off the Cuff, Random Acts Theatre company, and the Mirthworms. Since then, we’ve won a Brighton Fringe comedy award and created so many new shows it’s hard to keep track.
Most excitingly, we’ve seen the Brighton improv scene grow and develop beyond recognition; not only becoming a breeding ground for new companies, but also – at Fringe time – become a host for an ever-increasing number of improv-visitors. Whether it be a recently-formed group wishing to try out new material at one of the free-fringe venues, or a very established company on a UK tour, there is something to please any improv-afficionado. And, the sheer variety of shows in the fringe: improv game shows, genre shows, short-form shows – even an A.I.-based performance, means that even if you have never dipped your toe into this type of spontaneous offering before, you’re bound to find a show that you love.
According to my research, there are approximately twenty-four improv shows at this year’s fringe, and that doesn’t even include immersive games, or shows that are partially improvised. There’s two Shakespeare shows, three crime-based shows, there’s Hiphop, musicals, documentaries, and improvised myths. At least six are based in Brighton, or have Brighton improvisers in them, and – to be honest – there’s probably more I’ve missed.
Anyway, if you fancy checking out some improv, for the first time or the zillionth time, I’ve compiled a handy list by date and time, so you can see what matches up with your no-doubt busy-busy schedule. You can view it on it’s own page here or see it below. If you feel you have been left out, or notice an error, do let us know!
| Brighton Fringe 2020 | ||||
| Show | Venue | Date | Time | |
| Extreme Improv | Laughing Horse: Caroline of Brunswick | link | 10th/11th/12th | 7:00pm |
| Shakeitup:The Improvised Shakespeare Show | Laughing Horse:The Walrus | link | 2nd/3rd/11th/12th | 7:15pm |
| The Badge: An Improvised Cop Show | The Warren:Blockhouse | link | 11th/15th/16th | 8:00pm |
| Gamez Presents: Improv Smackdown | The Warren: The Burrow | link | 21st/23rd/24th/25th | 10:30pm |
| Improbotics | The Warren: Theatrebox | link | 22nd-25th | 2:30pm |
| Sex, Lies and Improvisation | The Warren: The Burrow | link | 22nd-25th | 7:30pm |
| Improv Deathmatch | The Warren: The Nest | link | 15th-18th | 7:45pm |
| Impromptu Shakespeare | The Warren: The Blockhouse | link | 2nd/21st-23rd | 8:00pm |
| CSI: Crime Scene Improv | The Warren: The Hat | link | 23rd/24th/30th/31st | 6:00pm |
| Stealing the Show: The Improvised Heist Comedy | The Warren: Theatrebox | link | 22nd-25th | 5:30pm |
| Track 96 Improvised Hip Hop | Laughing Horse: The Temple Bar | link | 8th/9th | 11:15pm |
| The Silliad: Improvised Myths and Legends | The Warren: The Nest | link | 8th-10th | 6:15pm |
| Heartland | Laughing Horse: The Temple Bar | link | 8th-10th | 1:15pm |
| Do the Thing: The Made up Musical | The Warren: The Nest | link | 1st-3rd/30th | 7:45pm |
| Classic Them Presents: A Slice of Life | Sweet Werks 1 | link | 8th-10th | 1:25pm |
| Multiverse Musical | The Electric Arcade: The Gaiety | link | 8th-10th/15th | 8:00pm |
| Laugh Island | The Warren:The Nest | link | 22nd-25th | 7:45pm |
| Acaprov | Laughing Horse:The Walrus | link | 8th-10th/16th | 3:30pm |
| Music Box | Brighton Toy and Model Museum | link | 1st/2nd | 8:30pm |
| High School (not a) musical | Sweet Werks 2 | link | 3rd/10th/17th/24th | 2:30pm |
| The Maydays Present: Happily Never After | The Warren: The Hat | link | 17th/25th | 7:45/6:00pm |
| The Maydays Present: The Fringe Show | The Komedia: Studio Bar | link | 1st/17th/25th | 7:30pm |
| Documentary | The Warren: The Nest | link | 4th/5th/8th/9th | 7:45/1:45pm |
| Starry Starry Eyes | The Warren: The Blockhouse | link | 12th-14th | 8:00pm |
| Semi-Improv | ||||
| There There | The Electric Parade: The Pit | link | 2nd-5th | 10:00pm |
| The Hunt for the Smoking Caterpillar | The Richmond | link | 4th | 1:00pm+ |
