Our Stand Up Comedy Course is your chance to step into the spotlight, develop your unique comic voice, and perform in a live Showcase at a central London venue.
Over the course, you’ll explore a variety of techniques to boost your confidence, sharpen your wit, and master the stage. You’ll work with an experienced comedy tutor to write, structure, and rehearse original material while learning the art of delivery, timing, and handling any situation.
If you’re an aspiring performer, a curious beginner, looking for a confidence boost, or looking to get started in the industry, this course gives you the creative tools, industry insight, and stage experience to make people laugh.
What you will learn
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Understand the comedy industry and how gigs, bookings, and the open mic circuit work.
- Confidently hold a room and engage an audience from start to finish.
- Use your voice, microphone, and body language to maximum comedic effect.
- Structure jokes, stories, and sets for maximum laughs.
- Improvise and respond in the moment, including dealing with interruptions and hecklers.
- Develop and refine your unique comedic style and point of view.
- Rehearse and perform with professional feedback.
- Deliver a live set in a Showcase performance at a central London venue to an invited audience.
Benefits of Taking the Course
Learning stand up comedy isn’t just about making people laugh—it’s about building skills that stay with you for life. Over the duration of the course you will:
- Build confidence speaking in front of an audience.
- Learn to think quickly and creatively under pressure.
- Improve storytelling, timing, and delivery.
- Strengthen your presence in both performance and everyday communication.
- Connect with like-minded creatives and expand your network.
- Experience the thrill of performing live and hearing that first big laugh.
Master the Mic
Learn how to use your voice, timing, and mic technique to deliver punchlines with impact.
Write It, Own It
Create original, structured material that reflects your unique comedic voice.
Find Your Style
Experiment with different comedic approaches to discover what works best for you.
Perform Live
Finish the course with a Showcase performance in a professional London venue.
CLASSES STARTING SOON
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Sep 2025 - 22 Oct 2025 | Wed | 19:00-21:00 | 7 weeks (inc. showcase) | Sarah Iles | City Academy, Farringdon | £256.50
10% OFF
| Book Now Click the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 13 Oct 2025 - 24 Nov 2025 | Mon | 19:00-21:00 | 7 weeks (inc. showcase) | Kate Smurthwaite | Umbrella Rooms | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 4 Nov 2025 - 16 Dec 2025 | Tue | 19:00-21:00 | 7 weeks (inc. showcase) | Kate Smurthwaite | Umbrella Rooms | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 6 Jan 2026 - 17 Feb 2026 | Tue | 18:45-20:45 | 7 weeks (inc. showcase) | Comedy Tutors | Umbrella Rooms | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
Useful Information
No, this course is suitable for complete beginners and those who have dabbled in comedy before.
Yes! Performance is part of the process, but we build up to it in a supportive and encouraging way so you feel ready.
Typically between 3–5 minutes, depending on the class size.
Absolutely! The Showcase is for an invited audience and it’s a great way to celebrate your achievement.
Yes, you’ll receive friendly, constructive feedback throughout the course to help you improve your material and delivery.
Other students have also been interested in
Students often combine this course with other acting, improvisation, and writing classes to broaden their performance skills and creative confidence
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Sep 2025 - 22 Oct 2025 | Wed | 19:00-21:00 | 7 weeks (inc. showcase) | Sarah Iles | City Academy, Farringdon | £256.50
10% OFF
| Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 13 Oct 2025 - 24 Nov 2025 | Mon | 19:00-21:00 | 7 weeks (inc. showcase) | Kate Smurthwaite | Umbrella Rooms, Covent Garden | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 4 Nov 2025 - 16 Dec 2025 | Tue | 19:00-21:00 | 7 weeks (inc. showcase) | Kate Smurthwaite | Umbrella Rooms, Covent Garden | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 6 Jan 2026 - 17 Feb 2026 | Tue | 18:45-20:45 | 7 weeks (inc. showcase) | Comedy Tutors | Umbrella Rooms, Covent Garden | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 25 Jan 2026 - 4 Mar 2026 | Sun | 13:45-15:45 | 7 weeks (showcase on 4th March) | Comedy Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
Select your Entry Level:
PAYMENT OPTIONS
You are welcome to join the course up to the second class.
ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS
Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833 .
CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS
Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG.
If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.
INDUSTRY TUTORS
City Academy tutors are experienced artists and performers that work in the industry. If your tutor's availability changes at short notice, our team will arrange for a suitable replacement and notify you in advance.
CANCELLATIONS POLICY
We offer a full refund or full credit of your original course if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.
We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Sep 2025 - 22 Oct 2025 | Wed | 19:00-21:00 | 7 weeks (inc. showcase) | Sarah Iles | City Academy, Farringdon | £256.50
10% OFF
| Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 13 Oct 2025 - 24 Nov 2025 | Mon | 19:00-21:00 | 7 weeks (inc. showcase) | Kate Smurthwaite | Umbrella Rooms, Covent Garden | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 4 Nov 2025 - 16 Dec 2025 | Tue | 19:00-21:00 | 7 weeks (inc. showcase) | Kate Smurthwaite | Umbrella Rooms, Covent Garden | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 6 Jan 2026 - 17 Feb 2026 | Tue | 18:45-20:45 | 7 weeks (inc. showcase) | Comedy Tutors | Umbrella Rooms, Covent Garden | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 25 Jan 2026 - 4 Mar 2026 | Sun | 13:45-15:45 | 7 weeks (showcase on 4th March) | Comedy Tutors | City Academy, Farringdon | £285.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
Select your Entry Level:
PAYMENT OPTIONS
You are welcome to join the course up to the second class.
ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS
Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833 .
CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS
Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG.
If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.
INDUSTRY TUTORS
City Academy tutors are experienced artists and performers that work in the industry. If your tutor's availability changes at short notice, our team will arrange for a suitable replacement and notify you in advance.
CANCELLATIONS POLICY
We offer a full refund or full credit of your original course if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.
We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)
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Umbrella Rooms, Covent Garden
241 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8EH, UK
All City Academy tutors are experienced professionals from theatre, film/TV and performance industries. So whilst they're training you they may also be rehearsing for a West End show or working on a movie. We like that and we do believe it makes a difference in class.
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