The troupes will be bringing a variety of shows and performances to the stage of the Midlands Arts Centre, including improvised opera, hip hop and musicals through to improvised 90’s sitcom and magical, mystical folk tales!

MAC audiences can also look forward to performances featuring Artificial Intelligence Improvisation where human actors join artificial intelligence robots on a surreal trip in augmented reality. There’s also seasoned players in virtual reality and motion capture with improvisers who are stepping into technology for perhaps the first time.

This year’s festival marks its fourth edition in the city and offers free events for children and exciting improv workshops with some of the professional actors performing in the Festival itself.

This year the Festival also includes BSL interpreted performances for the very first time.

Jon Trevor, Festival Director said “Birmingham is already alive with improv troupes performing in local venues, so it seems fitting that we have a festival that brings troupes from across the UK and internationally to perform here. I want it to become the go-to improv festival and hope that we can extend to other venues in time – our own Improv Fringe Fest if you like.”

Further highlights include direct from Edinburgh Fringe, the USA-based Baby Wants Candy for a night of improvised musicals; Comediasians ,the UK’s first pan-Asian troupe; London’s premier hip-hop improv group Track 96; Yes Queens, the West End’s first female-led improvised comedy night and QI: Queer Improv, London’s first all-queer improv group. And audiences shouldn’t miss an evening with the famous The Comedy Players, whose alumni include Paul Merton, Mike Myers and our very own Josie Lawrence.

Tickets for the Birmingham Improv Festival, which runs from 28th September-2nd October at Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, can be booked online at macbirmingham.co.uk.

Tickets are priced from £9 – age guidance 16+. Discounts apply – buyers can purchase multiple tickets at reduced rates subject to availability.