Jill Edwards Comedy Workshops (Weekend Course)

If you've ever thought about trying stand-up or just want to sharpen your public speaking skills, you've probably heard of Jill Edwards. She’s a fixture in the Brighton comedy scene, having established her workshops back in 1994 and even founded the award-winning Comic Boom club at Komedia Brighton in 2005. What makes her courses particularly interesting is the list of alumni—she’s trained some seriously big names who have gone on to win awards and write for TV, including Jimmy Carr, Romesh Ranganathan, Angela Barnes, and Seann Walsh. It’s a strong local pedigree. These workshops are held right in the heart of North Laine at Komedia, often utilizing the Studio or Basement spaces, offering a supportive environment for anyone over 18 looking to learn the ropes.

The next big opportunity coming up is the Weekend Comedy Course scheduled for Saturday, February 7th, and Sunday, February 8th, 2026. This two-day session is designed as a friendly introduction, focusing on how to create, write, and perform a short stand-up set. It’s not just for aspiring comedians; the skills taught are genuinely useful for things like presentations or even wedding speeches. If you were hoping to grab a spot for this specific weekend, be aware that the initial places seem to be filled, as the current status is an open waiting list. The Saturday session runs from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Sunday is slightly later, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. A key detail to remember is that all bookings and inquiries are managed directly through Jill Edwards’ channels, not through Komedia itself.

If the February weekend doesn't work out, Jill runs several other formats throughout the year, catering to all levels from absolute beginners upwards. For those looking for a longer commitment, the 10-week Weekly Stand-Up Comedy Course starts on Saturday, February 21st (at 1:30 pm) and again later in the year on Tuesday, September 22nd (at 7:00 pm). There's also a shorter Taster Workshop on Sunday, May 3rd, and another full Weekend Course scheduled for June 6th and 7th. For the truly dedicated, a week-long intensive, known as “The Big One,” kicks off on Wednesday, July 22nd. Whether you’re looking to launch a career or just gain confidence, the courses maintain that 18+ minimum age requirement and are known to be popular, so planning ahead is usually necessary.