Stand Up Comedy Summer School

Kick off the week by diving into the fundamentals of stand-up. You’ll explore different joke-writing techniques — from classic setups and punchlines to clever one-liners and observational humour. We’ll experiment with both structured approaches and free-form writing to spark creativity. You’ll begin crafting your first batch of original material and share it in a supportive environment, getting immediate feedback to shape your set. By the end of the day, you’ll have the foundations of your unique comedic voice.

Great comedy often comes from great stories. Today, you’ll learn how to take personal anecdotes, true stories, and even everyday experiences and turn them into extended routines that keep an audience hooked from start to finish. You’ll work on pacing, timing, and building to strong punchlines, as well as finding the right emotional beats. We’ll also explore call-backs and running jokes to give your set cohesion and impact.

This is where you start adding extra flavour to your act. You’ll explore the art of character comedy, building distinctive personas and experimenting with their quirks, rhythms, and viewpoints. We’ll also focus heavily on improvisation, giving you the skills to stay in the moment and respond to unexpected situations, whether that’s a surprise audience reaction or a topical reference that pops into your head mid-performance. These skills will make your act more dynamic, spontaneous, and memorable.

Today is about variety and versatility. You’ll try your hand at different comedic styles, from sharp political satire to musical comedy, surreal humour, and “set pieces” that give your performance a unique twist. We’ll work on stagecraft — voice projection, microphone technique, body language, and commanding the space. You’ll also begin your final showcase preparations, running through your material and tightening every beat for maximum impact.

The final day is all about rehearsal, refinement, and performance. You’ll fine-tune your set with one-on-one feedback before stepping into the spotlight for your evening showcase at a central London venue in front of friends, family, and comedy lovers. After the show, we’ll discuss practical steps for continuing your comedy journey, from finding open mics and booking gigs to networking, building an online presence, and navigating the UK comedy circuit.

No. This course is suitable for beginners and those with some performance experience who want to develop their comedy skills.

Yes! The course culminates in a showcase performance at a central London venue in front of an invited audience.

Nerves are natural! The course is designed to be supportive, helping you build confidence step by step through exercises and rehearsal.

Absolutely. You’ll receive constructive, personalised feedback throughout the course to help strengthen your set.

A notebook, pen or pencil, and water. And of course, a willingness to try, play, and laugh.