Nottingham has become the capital of comedy made up on the spot.
More than 120 performers from 30 countries are in the city this week for the fifth Robin Hood International Improv Festival, a celebration of spontaneous theatre, comedy and musical mayhem that is now the largest event of its kind in the UK.
Running until September 6 at the Squire Performing Arts Centre on Arboretum Street, this year’s festival is the biggest yet, expanding to a full week of performances, workshops and one-off shows that quite literally can never be repeated.
The headline acts are enough to tempt even improv sceptics. Olivier Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon Showstopper! is on the bill, alongside internationally acclaimed Japanese clown Oshow and performers arriving from across Europe, North America, Australia and beyond.
The beauty of improv, of course, is that nobody knows exactly what’s going to happen. Armed with little more than audience suggestions, performers create entire worlds in real time, building characters, stories and even full-scale musicals from scratch.
Since launching in 2022, the Robin Hood International Improv Festival has helped put Nottingham firmly on the map for fans of the art form, attracting talent from countries including the USA, Canada, Sweden, Estonia, Colombia, India and the Netherlands.
And it’s not just good news for comedy lovers. Festival organisers estimate the event contributes close to £100,000 to Nottingham’s economy each year, with this expanded edition expected to generate even more business for the city’s hotels, restaurants, pubs and venues.
“What started as a celebration of Nottingham’s incredible improv scene has grown into something truly international,” says Co-Artistic Director Liam Webber. “We’re not just bringing the world’s best improv to Nottingham, we’re showing the world what makes Nottingham’s comedy community so special.”
For anyone wondering why improv is having a moment, look no further than the rise of stars such as Tina Fey and Steve Carell, the popularity of streaming platform Dropout TV and viral improv groups pulling in millions of views across TikTok and social media.
But perhaps the biggest draw is its unpredictability. Every show at Robin Hood International Improv Festival is a one-off. Once it’s over, it’s gone forever.
Alongside the performances, there are workshops and beginner-friendly sessions for those tempted to try improv themselves, making this one of the most accessible comedy festivals around.
Tickets and the full programme are available via the Robin Hood International Improv Festival website.
