The Bristol Improv Theatre

What The Bristol Improv Theatre does

The Bristol Improv Theatre is a UK registered charity (No. 1207613) operating Bristol's only dedicated improvisation theatre from a fixed venue at 50 St Paul's Rd, Clifton, BS8 1LP. Its functional activity centers on two core lines: a Theatre School delivering structured improv education across four levels plus tasters, drop-ins, intensives, and specialist workshops; and a live-performance programme featuring recurring formats such as "This Is Your Musical," "The Saboteur," "The Bish Bosh Bash," "The Drag Dungeoneers," student showcases, The Improv Spotlight, The Improv Lab, Improv Jam & Social, and La La Bar, with ticketing handled via the Spektrix platform. The organization also runs an amateur troupe ("Unscripted Players") that provides an internal feeder into performer roles.

Revenue is generated through a mix of course fees, ticket sales, gift vouchers (priced £10-£100), venue hire, Workplace Improv corporate training, and charitable donations, with the 2026 "Say Yes Fund" explicitly targeting free or subsidized places for 1,000 participants. The Theatre School-to-Unscripted Players-to-show performer progression creates a self-reinforcing talent pipeline. The organization employs 18 staff, is led by CEO Tom Mansfield (appointed late 2025) and Artistic Director Kierann Shah, and has executed a 2025 accessibility audit in partnership with WECIL, positioning inclusion as a strategic operating principle.

Operationally, the model is local and venue-bound: capacity is constrained by the physical site, programming cadence is high (multiple weekly shows plus rolling courses), and pricing is distributed across many small transactions rather than concentrated enterprise contracts.

Name

The Bristol Improv Theatre

Legal name

Bristol Improv Theatre

Website

https://improvtheatre.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Bristol Improv Theatre is a registered charity operating Bristol's dedicated improv venue, combining a four-level Theatre School, weekly live performance programming (signature shows, jams, showcases), corporate Workplace Improv training, and the Say Yes Fund subsidized-access initiative.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Improv Comedy Theatre and Performing Arts Education

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Improvisational Theatre (MPAGABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater) (EDAMAAAG), Improv Comedy Performances (MPAGACAB), Fringe & Experimental Performing Arts (MPAGABAI)

Keywords

• Improv theatre
• Live comedy shows
• Improv courses
• Theatre school
• Corporate improv training

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Theatre School Courses: Structured multi-week improv courses (Levels 1–4) plus specialist workshops, intensives, and taster sessions generate recurring course fees. Courses are sold via the website with advance booking required. The flagship Discovering Improv is a six-week beginner course; intermediate and advanced courses include scene work, singing, and storytelling tracks.
2. Live Show Tickets: Ticket sales for improvised comedy shows, performances, and events. Shows range from recurring formats (e.g., This Is Your Musical monthly, The Improv Jam monthly, La La Bar musical open mic) to one-off events and guest performances.
3. Donations and Say Yes Fund: Regular donor programme ('Say Yes' Fund) providing free and subsidized places on Discovering Improv for those who cannot afford course fees. One-off and recurring donations are sought, with Gift Aid for UK taxpayers.
4. Gift Vouchers: Preset denomination vouchers (£10, £25, £50, £100) and custom amounts sold via the website, delivered by email to buyer or directly to recipient.
5. Workplace Improv Training: Bespoke corporate training workshops using improv skills for team communication, collaboration and creativity, sold to businesses as a separate revenue stream.
6. Venue Hire: The theatre space is available for hire, generating revenue from external groups using the venue for their own events and performances.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Bristol Improv Theatre is a registered charity (No. 1207613) operating a dedicated improv comedy venue and Theatre School in Clifton, Bristol. It runs progressive improv courses (Levels 1–4), drop-in sessions, specialist workshops and intensives, alongside a regular programme of live improvised comedy shows, guest performances and community events. Additional revenue streams include corporate workplace training, venue hire, gift vouchers, and a charitable donations programme (Say Yes Fund).

Product overview

The Bristol Improv Theatre is a registered charity (No. 1207613) located in Clifton, Bristol, serving as the home of improv comedy and unscripted live performance in the West of England. The organization operates a structured Theatre School offering progressive improv courses from Level 1 (Discovering Improv) through Level 4 (Advanced Scenic Work), complemented by drop-in sessions, specialist workshops, and multi-day intensives. Live programming includes signature shows such as 'This Is Your Musical' (improvised musical), 'Fire & Dice' (D&D live play), 'The Saboteur' (competitive improv), and 'The Bish Bosh Bash' (improvised game show), alongside guest performances from touring acts like The Noise Next Door. The venue also hosts amateur productions through its Unscripted Players scheme, provides corporate workplace training services, operates a cinema club, offers venue hire, and runs charitable initiatives including the Say Yes Fund for accessible improv education. The theatre's programming spans shows and events, theatre school classes, workplace training, and community-building activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Theatre School (Level 1–4 Improv Courses) Structured progressive improv education programme ranging from the six-week Level 1: Discovering Improv beginners course through Level 2: Intro to Performing Improv, Level 3 (e.g., Singing Songs, Telling Stories) and Level 4: Approaches to Scenework. Designed for adults seeking confidence, creativity and performance skills.
• Improv Taster Sessions Two-hour introductory sessions held every two weeks, capped at 20 participants with up to 2 instructors, for beginners to try improvisation before committing to a full course.
• Improv Drop-Ins Weekly Monday evening drop-in sessions alternating between scene workshops and skill-focused classes for improvisers wanting ongoing practice.
• Lunchtime Improv Drop-In Weekly Monday afternoon session led by Rebecca MacMillan, aimed at creatives, freelancers and anyone seeking a creative midday boost through improv.
• LGBTQ+ Improv Drop-in Recurring drop-in workshop led by LGBTQ+ instructors for LGBTQ+ participants, providing a safe, affirming space to improvise without fear of stereotyping, open to all levels.
• Specialist Courses and Intensives Themed multi-day intensive workshops covering specific topics such as Horror, Ghosts and Folklore with Katy Schutte, stage presence and hosting, character work, and theatrical improv techniques.
• Workplace Improv (Corporate Training) Bespoke corporate training workshops using improv skills, business psychology, and facilitation techniques to develop team communication, collaboration and creativity, sold directly to business clients.
• This Is Your Musical (Live Show) Monthly improvised musical theatre extravaganza with audience suggestions, live band accompaniment, and brand-new songs created on the spot. Ticketed via the website.
• Fire & Dice (Live Show) Live-play Dungeons & Dragons show featuring improv comedians, voice actors and special guests, with audience participation shaping the adventure and live musical accompaniment by Bards Against Humanity.
• The Saboteur (Live Show) Competitive improv show where five performers work to put on a good show while one secretly tries to sabotage it without getting caught.
• The Bish Bosh Bash: The Improvised Game Show (Live Show) Monthly improvised game show originally created by The Delight Collective, featuring Teams Bish and Bosh competing in rapid-fire improv games with audience voting.
• The Improv Spotlight (Live Show) Bi-monthly showcase of diverse local improv troupes and up-and-coming artists within the Bristol improv community.
• The Improv Lab (Live Show) Monthly experimental scratch performances featuring developing ideas and new formats from Bristol's improv scene.
• Improv Jam & Social Monthly friendly evening of improv games, silliness, socializing and fun open to all experience levels. Priced at £5 per person.
• La La Bar (Live Show) Monthly musical theatre open mic night with live piano accompaniment, hosted by Caitlin Campbell.
• Silent Movie Improv (Live Show) Fully improvised comedy theatre inspired by silent movies with live musical accompaniment.
• Rainbow Roadies: Mario Kart With A Live Band (Live Show) Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tournament accompanied by a six-piece live band playing all track songs, countdowns, and menu screens.
• The Noise Next Door: Comedy, Improvised (Guest Show) Ticketed guest show from award-winning twelve-time sell-out Edinburgh Fringe act The Noise Next Door, performing quick-witted audience-driven improvised comedy at the venue.
• My Date with Pierce Brosnan (Guest Show) Interactive puppet show where the audience controls a talking dummy via QR code and phone to shape a romantic adventure.
• Under The Hammer (Guest Show) Immersive art-themed mystery experience combining theatre, improv, escape room and who-dunnit elements set at a high-stakes auction, produced by Brave Bold Drama.
• Bleak Expectations (Guest Show) Theatrical parody of Victorian Dickensian stories performed at the venue by the Clifton Amateur Dramatic Society.
• Bristol Longform Takeover (Special Event) Annual takeover event featuring Bristol longform improv groups, experimental troupes and a specially assembled Takeover Team, organised with grassroots collective Bristol Longform Comedy.
• Venue Hire Rental of the Bristol Improv Theatre space for events, performances and private functions, including for external production companies and community groups.
• Cinema Club Community cinema programme that transforms the venue into a local filmhouse screening films for Bristol audiences.
• Gift Vouchers Gift cards available in preset denominations of £10, £25, £50, £100, or in custom amounts, redeemable against improv experiences and delivered by email.
• Unscripted Players Amateur Company The theatre's amateur improv company scheme, supporting new improv groups through a community pitching scheme and producing 2–3 Big Shows per year. Has incubated groups including Tales From the Wasteland, Red Python, What Happened?, Fairly Non-Bio, and Blame of Thrones.
• Say Yes Fund (Donation Programme) Charitable donation programme providing free and subsidised places on the Discovering Improv course for people who cannot afford fees, with a 2026 goal of supporting 1,000 participants. Includes Gift Aid for UK taxpayers and suggested monthly tiers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000 people to access free or subsidized Discovering Improv places in 2026 via the Say Yes Fund
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Delight CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Delight Collective originally created The Bish Bosh Bash, an improvised game show now produced regularly at Bristol Improv Theatre on the first Friday of each month. BIT has adopted this show as a flagship recurring event in its programme.
• Brave Bold DramaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-award-winning theatre company Brave Bold Drama produced 'Under The Hammer', an immersive art detective mystery experience performed at Bristol Improv Theatre — a cross-programming partnership bringing new audiences to the venue.
• Clifton Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClifton Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS) produced 'Bleak Expectations', a theatrical adaptation of Mark Evans' award-winning radio series, at Bristol Improv Theatre across multiple performances.
• Bards Against HumanityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBards Against Humanity performs improvised songs as part of the 'Fire & Dice' live-play Dungeons & Dragons show at Bristol Improv Theatre, providing live musical accompaniment following audience game sessions.
• Bristol Longform ComedycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBristol Longform Comedy is a grassroots community collective committed to longform improv in Bristol. Their annual 'Bristol Longform Takeover' event takes over the Bristol Improv Theatre with performances from local groups, up-and-coming troupes, and a specially assembled Takeover Team.
• Unscripted PlayerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Unscripted Players is Bristol Improv Theatre's own amateur improv company, supported by BIT through the voluntary 'Big Shows' scheme run two to three times a year. The scheme has孵化出 multiple popular Bristol improv groups including Tales From the Wasteland, Red Python, What Happened?, Fairly Non-Bio, and Blame of Thrones.
• LGBTQ+ Community PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBristol Improv Theatre runs dedicated LGBTQ+ Improv Drop-in workshops for LGBTQ+ people, led by LGBTQ+ instructors. These workshops address community needs for safe, affirming spaces and represent an ongoing community partnership.
• WECIL (West of England Centre for Independent Living)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWECIL is conducting an access audit of the Bristol Improv Theatre building as part of the theatre's accessibility improvement programme. WECIL gathered community feedback through an access needs survey to inform the audit.
• Real Positive PolesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning improv group Real Positive Poles performed 'Storm Compass' at The Improv Spotlight event — an interconnected stories format inspired by Cloud Atlas, created on the fly in 45 minutes.
• The Drag DungeoneerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Drag Dungeoneers is a new flagship family show combining drag performance with D&D-style live-play adventure, launched at Bristol Improv Theatre in September 2025.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Tobacco Factory Theatres: Independent Bristol theatre producing drama, comedy, and community-focused programming. Operates in the same city and audience pool as BIT and is a useful local benchmark for Bristol ticket-pricing, attendance patterns and venue-hire economics.
• Bristol Old Vic: Bristol's flagship historic theatre producing drama, comedy and community programming. Same city and broader performing-arts audience base as BIT, making it a relevant local benchmark for Bristol live-entertainment demand and venue partnership dynamics, though not improv-specific.

Direct peers

• The Free Association: London-based improv school and theatre offering progressive improv courses, ensemble troupes, and weekly shows. Closely matches BIT's curriculum + community + show-pipeline model.
• Hoopla Impro: London improv school and shows operator offering beginner-to-advanced courses, drop-ins and regular public improv nights including musical improv. Directly comparable to BIT as a UK improv training + performance company.
• The Maydays: Brighton-based improv theatre and school running multi-level improv courses, drop-ins, and regular improv shows including musical improv formats. The closest UK regional peer to BIT in terms of scale, course structure, and community-driven programming model.

Broad incumbents

• The Second City: Chicago-born global improv comedy institution with theatres, training centres (Levels 1-6) and touring shows. Operates at far larger scale than BIT but is the canonical reference model for an improv theatre + school, making it the closest strategic comparator for BIT's curriculum and venue strategy.
• iO Theater: Chicago improv theatre and training centre with a progressive multi-level curriculum and a full weekly performance schedule. Highly comparable to BIT as a dedicated improv venue that combines structured school programming with recurring live shows.
• Upright Citizens Brigade Training Center: New York-based improv school and theatre offering progressive levels of training plus nightly improv and sketch shows. Directly comparable to BIT's Level 1-4 curriculum plus regular show cadence model.
• The Comedy Store (London): Long-established London comedy venue with regular improv and stand-up programming, plus associated Comedy Store Players (improv format). Comparable to BIT as a dedicated comedy performance venue with an improv focus, though much larger and London-centric.

Emerging players

• Showstopper! The Improvised Musical: UK touring improvised musical show that has played West End and Edinburgh Festival, including appearances at BIT. Comparable as a UK improvised musical format that overlaps with BIT's 'This Is Your Musical' and 'La La Bar' programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BITheatre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-bristol-improv-theatre
• Instagraminstagram.com/bristolimprovtheatre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Bristol Improv Theatre