It's the 36-hour improv show

Veteran comedy performer Ken Campbell is to host a marathon 36-hour improvised soap opera live on stage.

His Improvathon, taking place in London in December, was inspired by the Die Nasty Soapathon that takes place in Edmonton, Canada, every year and runs for up to 53 hours.

Dana Anderson and Davina Stewart, who direct and perform in the Canadian event, will also be taking part in the UK version.

Ian Fergusson, another member of the Canadian team, said: ‘After a while, the fatigue will settle in and destroy any ego. Then the performers will get rid of their tricks and start improvising from a very pure place.’

Campbell change the name from Soapathon because he felt ‘soap’ gave actors the wrong idea.

‘Tell American or Canadian performers they’re in a soap and they act better,’ he said. ‘Mention the word "soap" to British actors and they act like prats.’

The Improvathon takes place in the Inn On The Green, off Ladbroke Grove in West London, starting at 10am on December 17, and finishing at 10pm the next night.

The team will be warming up with a ‘mere’ eight-hour performance the week before.

It follows the efforts of stand-up Mark Watson, who successfully completed a 2005-minute show (or just over 33 and a half hours) at this year’s Edinburgh fringe.

Published: 31 Oct 2005