Hoopla, the UK’s first improv theatre and the country’s biggest improv school, has announced Hoopla’s 20th Anniversary Improv Festival, running from 10 April to 21 May 2026 at its London Bridge venue.
The festival will celebrate 20 years of spontaneous comedy with a packed programme of one-night-only performances from leading improvisers. Early confirmed acts include Showstopper! co-creator Dylan Emery, alongside fellow Showstoppers Adam Meggido, Ruth Bratt, Andrew Pugsley and Phil Pellew. The line-up will also feature Rob Broderick’s Abandoman!, Will Naameh’s MC Hammersmith, and members of The Comedy Store Players, including Ruth Bratt and Lee Simpson.
Festival favourites ComediAsians and Do The Right Scene will return, showcasing Asian, South East Asian, Black and Global Majority improvisers, while further acts and full programme details will be announced in March.
Hoopla began as a practice session above a pub and has since grown into a major force in British improv, training thousands of performers who now work across theatre, television and film. Alumni include Athena Kugblenu and Monica Gaga, who was talent spotted at Hoopla before joining The Comedy Store Players.
The festival will be staged in Hoopla’s intimate 80-seat theatre. Additional events will champion grassroots artists and emerging talent from across the UK improv community.
Hoopla director Steve Roe said, “I just can’t believe Hoopla is 20 years old – the time has flown by. It’s an honour to be a part of the amazing improv community and the incredible improv revolution that’s swept through the UK. This has been a massive team effort, with 1000s of people and 100s of shows and improv companies working together over decades with a shared passion for improvisation. I’m really excited to see groups that usually perform on the West End or to other massive audiences back in our cosy 80-seater venue. It’s going to be amazing to see groups like the Showstopper up close!”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
