What we're about
There is a lot of interest in Improvised comedy by many people including comics, sketch writers, stand-ups, actors, artists, public speakers, work leaders and creative people. Improvised comedy has long earned its place as a legitimate art form and source of comedy across the USA, and is growing rapidly in the UK. Many of the skills which are learnt and practiced within the workshops to be successful on stage can have a huge overlap with the skills required to be successful in day to day life.
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We welcome everyone of all abilities that is willing to listen fully to others and build compassionately on their ideas. Improv is about playing and discovering things about our world and about ourselves with someone else. It is about looking outside of your own head, paying attention to what is happening and creating a moment which can be enjoyed by everyone before it is gone forever - like a firework exploding. With practice, we can create this effect over and over again like a fireworks display with no need for rehearsed material. A good improvised scene might look as though it was written before hand as a sketch and the audience will often think you are cheating, but you aren't. For many people who consider themselves improvisers the idea of having a pre-prepared script would mean missing out on being present for the moment that you are in now whilst trying and remember a thing you wrote down earlier.
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This group was set up with the aim of bringing together a community of people with a love for this spontaneous comedy art form, to find a place for it here in Birmingham, and to encourage it to grow into something far bigger.
We are very grateful to have found a perfect at the Patrick Kavanagh Pub in Mosely. This lively local venue hosts us with a large upstairs function room, which has a raised stage, seating for up to 80 people and an upstairs bar.
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
Workshops and shows are open to everybody of every race, religion, gender and orientation. Discrimination and inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated and will lead to immediate ejection from the venue and this group. If you need to report anything in confidence then please contact Ben or Mel directly.
DBS STATEMENT
Due to the nature of this work, sometimes swearing and adult issues come up. As a result we have to restrict our workshops to over 18s. We also advise that during shows, under 18s are accompanied by an adult. All of our venues are licensed public houses and would also require the same level of support.
Upcoming events (5+)
Patrick Kavannagh Bar
Each week some of the best improvisers in Birmingham take to the stage to deliver Fat Penguin Improv's own unique style of high energy, high concept comedy - all without a script! The performers will take a suggestion from the audience and then tell a true-life story directly based on the suggestion. The rest of the performers then create a series of comedy scenes inspired by their story. This show takes a very intimate look at the lives of our performers, then ruthlessly explores the comic premises from within those stories in a typically high-paced Fat Penguin style. The show is 100% unscripted. The Armando Diaz experience first appeared in 1995 at iO Chicago, inspiring similar shows to start up all over the world. Doors 8pm Last entry 8.20pm Show 830pm FREE ENTRY TESTIMONIALS 'The future of comedy' 'Helped me as a comedy writer' 'Ability to get the best out of everyone' 'I've made some wonderful friends' 'Excellent training' 'Life changing' 'I feel bullet proof' After every show we have a break, grab a drink, then head back on stage for our informal Jam, where we offer students and members of the audience a chance to get on stage with our house team and feel what it is like. For more details check out the website at www.fatpenguinimprov.com
- Andrew T.
- Benjamin H.
- Melanie B.
- 3 attendees
Highbury Pub
What would learning to be more funny mean to you? Not sure what improvised comedy is? In this FREE workshop you will find out. With games and exercises you can use and take away, come and learn why we laugh and how to create laughter from an audience on stage without a script. On our workshops you will learn how to: ✅ Quickly gain rapport with your audience. ✅ Find your very own authentic comic 'voice' ✅ Understand why people laugh from an evolutionary point of view. ✅ Learn to accurately predict when people will laugh. ✅ Level the playing field with those who possess 'natural ability' This is your chance to come and meet some of the instructors and performers from Fat Penguin Improv to find it what it’s all about and how we can help you get on stage without a script - but still feel confident that you will get some laughs. TESTIMONIALS 'The future of comedy' 'Helped me as a comedy writer' 'Ability to get the best out of everyone' 'I've made some wonderful friends' 'Excellent training' 'Life changing' 'I feel bullet proof' Your first session is FREE so if you aren't sure if this is for you then come along and see what you think. For more information check out the website at www.fatpenguinimprov.com
Patrick Kavannagh Bar
Each week some of the best improvisers in Birmingham take to the stage to deliver Fat Penguin Improv's own unique style of high energy, high concept comedy - all without a script! The performers will take a suggestion from the audience and then tell a true-life story directly based on the suggestion. The rest of the performers then create a series of comedy scenes inspired by their story. This show takes a very intimate look at the lives of our performers, then ruthlessly explores the comic premises from within those stories in a typically high-paced Fat Penguin style. The show is 100% unscripted. The Armando Diaz experience first appeared in 1995 at iO Chicago, inspiring similar shows to start up all over the world. Doors 8pm Last entry 8.20pm Show 830pm FREE ENTRY TESTIMONIALS 'The future of comedy' 'Helped me as a comedy writer' 'Ability to get the best out of everyone' 'I've made some wonderful friends' 'Excellent training' 'Life changing' 'I feel bullet proof' After every show we have a break, grab a drink, then head back on stage for our informal Jam, where we offer students and members of the audience a chance to get on stage with our house team and feel what it is like. For more details check out the website at www.fatpenguinimprov.com
Highbury Pub
What would learning to be more funny mean to you? Not sure what improvised comedy is? In this FREE workshop you will find out. With games and exercises you can use and take away, come and learn why we laugh and how to create laughter from an audience on stage without a script. On our workshops you will learn how to: ✅ Quickly gain rapport with your audience. ✅ Find your very own authentic comic 'voice' ✅ Understand why people laugh from an evolutionary point of view. ✅ Learn to accurately predict when people will laugh. ✅ Level the playing field with those who possess 'natural ability' This is your chance to come and meet some of the instructors and performers from Fat Penguin Improv to find it what it’s all about and how we can help you get on stage without a script - but still feel confident that you will get some laughs. TESTIMONIALS 'The future of comedy' 'Helped me as a comedy writer' 'Ability to get the best out of everyone' 'I've made some wonderful friends' 'Excellent training' 'Life changing' 'I feel bullet proof' Your first session is FREE so if you aren't sure if this is for you then come along and see what you think. For more information check out the website at www.fatpenguinimprov.com
Past events (237)
Highbury Pub
- Andrew T.
- Benjamin H.
- Melanie B.
- 3 attendees
