Improv Open Day

Newcastle Comedy Club is holding an Improv Open Day on Monday 2 August, a free session for anyone who's ever wondered what it's like to make things up on the spot. It's run by professional instructors, so you'll be working with people who actually know the craft rather than just winging it with a group of strangers.

If you've never done improv before, the whole point is that there's no script. You don't show up with lines memorised or a character already mapped out; you just react to whatever your scene partner throws at you. The instructors will walk you through the basics — things like listening, saying 'yes' to whatever's happening in the scene, and building a story as you go — so you don't need any prior experience to get involved. It's more about playing a game than putting on a performance.

It's worth keeping in mind where this is happening. Newcastle Comedy Club is the city's first dedicated comedy venue, located at 139 Maitland Rd in Islington. It's a proper home for the local scene, with live stand-up, improv courses, and venue hire all under one roof. They run Saturday night showcases, Friday comedy nights, and open mic events, so there's usually something on the go if you fancy sticking around after the open day.

The Improv Open Day is free to attend, and it's a low-pressure way to see if improv is your thing before committing to a full course. It runs on Monday 2 August at Newcastle Comedy Club, 139 Maitland Rd, Islington.