This week’s guest is Matt Knowles from Glossop Improv and Dark Peak Adventure Club! After the pandemic, Matt decided it was time to get out, have fun and try something new, and that decision led him straight to the wonderful world of improv. We chat about creativity, community and the sheer joy of saying “yes, and” to life’s opportunities. So it’s time to sit back, relax and grab a brew as we find out all about Matt’s true story of making stuff up.

This week we are joined by the wonderful Chris Mead. Chris is a real font of improv knowledge and we delve into a wide variety of topics. He delves deep into his incredible journey into improv, from his early days performing at the Edinburgh Fringe to making improv his full-time career. We talk about his early influences, including Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and how discovering Baby Wants Candy: The Improvised Musical sparked lifelong friendships and helped shape his improv path. Chris reflects on training with the Crunchy Frog Collective, his part in building London’s thriving improv scene, and how he developed not only as a performer but also as a facilitator. Along the way we cover his geeky passions — Doctor Who, musicals — his enduring friendship with Katy Schutte, and his current work with Hoopla Impro and The Pretend Company. We also look ahead at what’s next: from his Develop Your Own Practice award exploring the merger of movement and ensemble work, to teaching and performing in over 25 countries, and running indie projects under his own name. Chris is also co-founder of Unmade Theatre Co and one-third of the sci-fi improv team Project2. For more about Chris, his shows, classes, and newsletter (Pretend Post), visit www.chrismead.co This is a really fascinating chat that you will not want to miss. So sit back, relax and enjoy Chris' true story about making stuff up.

This week we welcome the wonderful Rebecca MacMillan to the show. A founding member of The Maydays, Rebecca has been at the heart of the UK improv scene for many years. In this episode we explore her improv journey, from her early days discovering the artform to her time performing with Closer Each Day, the UK’s longest running improvised soap opera, and beyond. We also chat about the incredible projects she is part of now, including her work building and nurturing the improv community in Stroud. Along the way we take a fascinating detour into her experiences as a historical interpreter and how that unique background continues to shape her approach to improvisation today. So it’s time to grab a brew, sit back, relax and find out all about Rebecca’s true story about making stuff up.

How do you get people who’ve never seen improv before to come to a show? In this episode of the Liverpool Comedy ImprovCast, Iain Luke Jones chats with Dave Hodgson about the tricky art of marketing improv to non-improvisers. From finding the right language to avoiding insider jargon, to making improv feel exciting, accessible, and impossible to miss, we dive into what really works (and what definitely doesn’t!). Expect honest anecdotes, practical tips, and a few laughs along the way as we explore how to turn curious newcomers into lifelong fans of live improv comedy.

This week we welcome Katy Main and Naomi Williamson to the show! They may be new to the improv scene, but they’ve dived in headfirst, splashing about with big laughs and bold moves. With two very different paths that led them here, Katy and Naomi have already thrown themselves into some brilliant projects & they’re only just getting started. It’s time to grab a brew, sit back, relax, and enjoy Katy and Naomi’s true stories about making stuff up.

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome back the brilliant Cheng Jun Cheong for a deep dive into the hilarious (and sometimes cringeworthy) world of Beginner Pitfalls in Improv. Cheng Jun has been keeping a close eye on the improv scene, and he’s here to share his sharp, insightful observations on the common mistakes that can trip up even the most enthusiastic newcomers. It’s an informative, engaging, and laugh-filled chat that just might help you avoid those classic “making stuff up… incorrectly” moments. So grab a cuppa, settle in, and enjoy a masterclass in what not to do on stage.

This week we return to our A–Z of Improv series and explore the letter ‘I’! Host Iain Luke Jones is joined once again by the brilliant Sekki Tabasuares for an insightful and entertaining chat all about what the letter I brings to the world of improv. From imagination to intent and everything in between, this episode dives into the ideas, instincts, and improvisational magic that make the letter I so important on (and off) the stage. So sit back, relax, and grab a brew—it’s time to journey through the letter I!

This week, our host Iain Luke Jones peels back the layers of his writing journey, taking a pause from improv to shine a light on another major passion in his life. Ever wondered what the process of getting a book published really looks like? Then this is the episode for you. Don't just be that person who says, “I reckon I have a book in me.” Be the person who writes that book and gets it out into the world. Iain shares the highs, lows, rewrites, rejections, and little victories that shaped his path from idea to publication. Hopefully, his journey will help steer you toward your own. So now it's time to sit back, relax, and enjoy Iain's true story of making stuff up — and then writing it down, editing it (a lot), and finally bringing it to life.

This week we welcome Xavier Chan and Vince Clavel to the show to talk all about their journey into improv. From discovering LCI to the ways it's reshaped their lives, we dive into what brought them to the stage and where they see their improv paths heading next. It's another fantastic chat that you won't want to miss, so sit back, relax, and grab a brew as we discover Xav and Vince's true stories about making stuff up.

This week, we’re delighted to welcome Codie Wright and Julie Anderson to the show. Both are relatively new to the improv scene, but they’re already brimming with enthusiasm and performing for live audiences. In this episode, you’ll hear how they each found their way to LCI, following very different paths, and how their recent completion of the Level 3 Introduction to Improv course has shaped their journey so far. What does the future hold for these rising stars? It’s another fascinating chat, full of variety—some improv-based, some not, but all thoroughly entertaining. So it's time to sit back, relax, grab a brew, and enjoy Codie and Julie's true story about making stuff up.

This week on the Liverpool Comedy Improvcast, we're thrilled to welcome the brilliant Cheng Jun Cheong to the show! 🌟 Discover how watching Whose Line Is It Anyway? in Singapore a decade ago sparked a journey that led Cheng Jun to the heart of Liverpool’s improv scene. Now a regular at our drop-in sessions, Cheng Jun shares how improvisation provides a much-needed mental escape from the pressures of life as an obstetrics and gynaecology specialist. It’s a heartwarming, hilarious, and inspiring conversation about finding joy, connection, and clarity through the art of Improv. Don’t miss this fantastic chat — hit play, sit back, grab a cuppa and enjoy Cheng Jun’s true story about making stuff up!

In this special solo episode, Iain reflects on his one-person improv show, The You & Me Show, performed at the Liverpool Improvisation Festival. Sharing insights from the stage, he explores the challenges, surprises, and rewards of performing solo—and what it meant to connect with an audience in such a personal and collaborative way. So sit back, relax, and enjoy Iain’s true story about making stuff up… alone, but never truly alone.

This week on the Liverpool Comedy Improvcast, we return to Improv Room 101! Joining us is friend of the show San George, who’s bringing her top three improv no-no’s—the things she’d most love to see banished from the improv world forever. But can she convince Iain to lock them away for good? Tune in to hear which improv frustrations San would happily say goodbye to, and whether Iain agrees they deserve to be sealed in the vault of doom. So, sit back, relax, pop the kettle on, and enjoy another fun-filled episode of improv rants, revelations, and righteous refusals!

This week on The Liverpool Comedy ImprovCast, we're thrilled to welcome another fabulous member of the Pick N' Mix Improv Troupe — Rosie Sosic! Rosie has had a whirlwind first year in the world of improv, and what a journey it’s been. From nervously stepping into a room full of strangers to finishing the year as an award-winning improviser, Rosie’s story is one of courage, creativity, and growth. Join us as she reflects on the highs, the learning curves, and the unexpected joys of making stuff up on the spot. It’s a heartwarming, inspiring, and often hilarious conversation that’s sure to leave you smiling. So grab a cuppa, sit back, and enjoy Rosie’s true story of of making stuff up.

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome back friend of the show, Sekki Tabasuares, for a fascinating conversation about the connections between public speaking and improv. Over the past year, Sekki has been building a strong foundation in the public speaking world and has discovered just how seamlessly improv techniques can enhance a speaker’s confidence, adaptability, and engagement. Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights on how these two worlds intertwine. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the chat!

In this episode of the Liverpool Comedy Improvcast, friend of the show Michael Ananins steps into host as our regular host Iain Luke Jones takes centre stage to chat about his brand new book, The Pundamentals—a celebration of puns, wordplay, and the joy of clever comedy! Iain dives into the inspiration behind the book, exploring how his love of improv and years of playing with language shaped its creation. He shares some of his favourite pun games, discusses the art of crafting the perfect wordplay, and reveals how The Pundamentals isn’t just about jokes—it’s about creativity, spontaneity, and the way language connects us all. If you love a good pun (or even a bad one), this episode is packed with laughs, insights, and plenty of groan-worthy moments! It's time to sit back, relax and find out Iain's true story about writing The Pundamentals.

This week on the Liverpool Comedy Improvcast, we're diving into all things LIF 2025 with Mark Smith and Jen Hardy! 🎭✨ Find out all about this year’s exciting four-day lineup, the incredible shows taking the stage, and the fantastic workshops on offer. Whether you're a seasoned improviser or just curious about the festival, this episode has everything you need to get hyped for LIF 2025! So sit back, relax and get ready to be blown away by what LIF 2025 has in store.

From childhood notebooks to the improv stage, Colleen Campbell's creative journey is full of surprises. This week, the Pick N' Mix Improv performer joins us to discuss how her passion for writing and drama led her to the world of short-form improv, with detours into stand-up and sketch. Join us for a fascinating conversation about finding your comedic voice. It's time to grab a brew, sit back, relax and enjoy Colleen's true story about making stuff up.

We are kicking off 2025 by welcoming the wonderful Hollie White to the show! Hollie moved back to her home city of Chester a little over a year ago and has already had a massive impact on the improv scene. She qucikly became a regular at Flintshire Funnybone Improv just over the border in North Wales and has more recently started Chest Improv Sociecty, more commonly known as C.H.I.M.P.S. & you can find out all about it and about how Hollie discovered improv in the first place in our first episode of the year. So sit back, relax and enjoy Hollie's true story about making stuff up...

We’ve had so many incredible guests on the Liverpool Comedy ImprovCast, and the show has grown and evolved so much since our very first episode. We thought it was about time to give our trailer a fresh update!