100-seater dedicated to the genre

Britain is to get a second venue dedicated to improvised comedy.

The 100-seat Bristol Improv Theatre is to open on March 3 next year following an ambitious crowdfunding project.

It comes on the heels of the Free Association Comedy Room in Camden, North London – a pub theatre above the Lord Stanley, which is run by the improv troupe of the same name.

So far more than £27,000 has been raised towards opening the Bristol Improv Theatre in the studenty Clifton area of the city. The money has come from a combination of crowdfunding, fundraising events and private investment.

Once they have opened the theatre, organisers hope to raise another £58,000 to continue to develop the premises at 50 St. Paul’s Road into a fully-equipped performance and teaching space. 

American comics David Cross,  Drew Carey and Matt Walsh, a founder of New York’s Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, have all tweeted their support, and Duncan Walsh-Atkins, musical director of Showstoppers, said: ‘We're very excited about the opening of this theatre. We’ve known and collaborated with the BIT team for a long time, and it couldn't be in better hands. The appearance of a new professional regional venue is very good news for the UK improv community.’

Renovations on the new theatre are scheduled to start at the beginning of January.

Published: 28 Nov 2016