Southend Improvathon 2026

This weekend, I was lucky enough to be in the Southend Improvathon 2026, the seventh year that it has been run and the seventh year that I have taken part.

The improvathon has come to mean an awful lot to me. When I first started learning improvised comedy in 2011, it was to fulfil a promise to a friend who had signed us up on a bit of a whim. In the process, Sam Sexton was dragged along as well. We were both indifferent to it from my recollection.
Through that initial course I met Lee, Bish, Ali, Ross, John, Debbie, Luke, Dan, Haley et al. In subsequent courses, the group grew. All of us with an interest in being creative, being silly and having fun.
Then in 2018, the Southend Improvathon was announced and we were all keen to see what that would entail. 24 hours locked in a function room at a local football club where we made the most fantastic memories and friends.

Over the years, our numbers have grown, the production has become all the more impressive and we have garnered in-jokes the likes of which I have never witnessed elsewhere. This SICU (Southend Improvathon Cinematic Universe) now spans old Hollywood, space, the wild west, the fantasy world of Middle Mirth, high school, magic school and as of this weekend, the shark-infested Shamity Island.

What always surprises me with these shows is the level of talent, grit, determination, sleep deprivation, blood, sweat, tears and bubbles that they require. Each go around the sun, we unlock and level up, we laugh and cry in ways that come to mean everything. It’s a mad thing for a group of adults to do but that is what makes it what it is. To down tools, to forget what makes up the rest of our lives and to get in trouble, go on adventures and fall in love with these fine people is certainly what I needed.

There are very very social events I like to commit to be the Southend Improvathon will always have my heart. Thank you to everyone who made it what it was. In particular, the friends who came along to support, my partner E who packed my lunches and ran interference when I no longer had cognitive function, Ali James for steering this behemoth into dock, Chris, Jonathon and EJK for directing their hearts out. John Oakes for always trusting his feet, Jess and Cat for holding me up and holding me accountable. Matt, Sam and Pip for being incredible scene partners in particular. Jessica, Katy, Chess and everyone else who kept us ticking over and playing nicely. All the musicians who came to provide such a wonderful environment for us. Thank you to Gaz for the photos, Rob and Rhys for all the tech magic. Thank you to Lisa for handing me a tissue when I broke down in tears at the end of it all. Love to EJK for locking eyes with me to tell me everything.
My thanks to my soap buddies, Lottie and Sam, for propping me up and to every single player who stepped out on that stage.

What a mad, wonderful, stupid thing to do. Love you.
I hope to see you next year.