Improv night with Paul Merton and Suki Webster

Paul Merton and Suki Webster are hosting an improv night at the Mayflower Theatre on Wednesday 23 September. It's part of a wider comedy run the venue has lined up, so if you're into stand-up, there's a fair bit to keep you busy around the city over the coming months.

For those who aren't familiar with how it works, improv is exactly what it sounds like: comedy made up on the spot. Merton and Webster will be running the show, taking suggestions from the crowd and building scenes and sketches around them as they go. Because it's all improvised, no two nights end up the same, and the whole thing depends on what the audience throws their way.

It's one of several comedy dates the Mayflower has announced recently. The theatre and its studios have put together a packed schedule, with the Stitches Comedy Club, Kevin Bridges, and Max Fulham all appearing as part of the line-up. If you're a regular at the venue, you'll see that the comedy side of things is getting a decent amount of space this season, with a variety of acts coming through rather than just one or two big names.

Paul Merton is a household name for most, known for his long run on Have I Got Your Weekends and Have I Got News For You, and Suki Webster has built her own reputation on the circuit. Together they'll be leading the night, with the improv format meaning the audience gets to play a part in what actually happens on stage. It's on Wednesday 23 September at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton.