It is festival season and that means that in the next month there is so many great comedy festivals to look forward to! This month we are looking at some of the great shows that you can see at the Edinburgh Fringe. So take note because we are going to give you all the information you need for just a handful of some of the great shows happening this year!

ComedySportz UK

Location:  Laughing Horse @ The Counting House – The Ballroom (Venue 170 ) / Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters – Maggie’s Chamber (Venue 272 )

Dates: Aug 4th-20th / Aug 4th-20th

Time: 13:00 / 15:15

Price: Pay What You Can / Pay What You Can

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedysportz-uk / https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedysportz-uk-1

Hello! Tell us about yourself?

We’re a bunch of lovable improvisers from Manchester!

How did you come up with the name of your show that your taking to the fringe?

It’s Comedy… as a sport!

Tell us all about your show!

ComedySportz is an award-winning competitive comedy show that sees two teams go for gold with improvised gags and games inspired by audience suggestions. It’s fun for all ages and sometimes we ask for vokunteers to get in on the action. We wear snazzy sports kits because it’s comedy as a sport- but not about sports – as the red and blue teams go toe for toe for the biggest laughs, improvising sketches, games and even a song or two.

We’ll be joined by ComedySportz players from teams worldwide and there’s a referee to ensure a good clean match with penalties for bad behaviour and bad jokes. Who wins? The audience decides!

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?

Improv on Demand are another great improv show from Manchester. Baby Wants Candy are our favourite of all the improvised musicals. We’re also looking forward to Classic!, Jon Culshaw’s Les Dawson show and Nortis and Parker. But above all we’re excited to discover something we’ve never heard of or seen before!

Have you done the fringe before? What are the key pieces of advice you have been given or would give to new groups or people performing at the fringe.

This is our fifteenth year performing at the Fringe! If this is your first time performing at the Fringe, our advice is: be open to new shows and opportunities but don’t stretch yourself too thin, don’t be rude to venue staff and, even though the Edinburgh buzz can be exciting you’ve still got a show to do, so make sure you’re looking after yourself and not performing hungover/phoning it in. It’s disrespectful to your audience and word of mouth is your best selling tool. So make sure people have nice things to say!

What have been some of your favourite shows to date and why?

One time we completely abandoned our show format and did a totally improvised musical for 20 minutes called Jamilton, a Hamilton parody about preserves. It was only meant to be a short game but everyone was really going for it. That’s why we love Edinburgh, when everything is just firing on all cylinders, completely in the moment and unique to that audience who are totally up for it. No two shows are ever the same!

Favourite one liner you have done in a show and why?

It’s not a one liner but one year we did a show with genuine royalty in the audience and one of the games featured a lot of fart jokes (something we try to avoid normally). It was nice to know even the royals enjoy a good fart gag.

What have been some of the most unique and different comedy shows you have seen this year and why?

There are lots of really exciting alternative shows like Your Dad’s Mum: A Night At The Social Club (who are also up in Edinburgh this year). Shows that aren’t quite stand-up, sketch or cabaret but a really exciting blend! A couple of us have just got back from the ComedySportz World Championship in America where we also caught a show called “Score”, a completely silent improvised show where the players react to a playlist of dramatic music and premises suggested by the audience. It was just lovely to see performers so connected with each other and letting the emotion of the music drive them.

What is the best way to enjoy yourself at the fringe?

Taking a punt on something you might not normally see. Whether that be an award-winning competitive improv comedy show, ahem, or a Latvian dance collective or spoken word poetry performed entirely in gibberish… it’s all there to be experienced!

The best thing about performing at the fringe?

Getting to perform everyday really sharpens your skills. As an improv group we always come away stronger. Getting to entertain audiences from all over the world, playing with your mates and being surrounded by so much inspiration and creativity is a real joy. Also getting a lovely curry from the Mosque Kitchen or stocking up on Macaroni pies from Piemaker.

The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?

Keeping the energy up. It can be a lot! You’re flyering, doing shows and guest slots, watching shows etc. and it’s a lot of long days and late nights. The key is to be patient with each other, give space and know it is okay to take a break. For the show, for the audience and for yourself… it’s important to just find a quiet space to chill out wherever you can.

What would be your top three items every performer must take to the fringe?

Vitamin C tablets, sturdy shoes and earplugs.

What’s the secret to successful flyering?

Being genuine and having a sense of humour instead of being pushy and obnoxious.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Whichever audience chose to see us over the hundreds of other shows happening at the same time. You owe every audience the best show you can give.

If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?

We’re on twitter and tiktok under @comedysport_uk, instagram @cszmanchester, and facebook @cszmanchesteruk. If people want to find out more about our shows and workshops after the Fringe they can sign up to our monthly mailing list on our website www.comedysportz.co.uk

And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show?

It’s very funny.