The Comedy Store Players
Show type: Misc live shows
Founded in 1985, Britain’s leading improv troupe performs at the Comedy Store every Sunday night, with a core team that comprises Neil Mullarkey, Josie Lawrence, Richard Vranch, Lee Simpson and Ruth Bratt
Mullarkey was one of the founders of the trope along with Kit Hollerbach, Dave Cohen, Neil Mullarkey and future Austin Powers star Mike Myer, with Paul Merton joining within a week and Vranch, Lawrence and Simpson joining soon afterwards.
They first appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1986, and in 2010 they became Guinness Word Record holders for the world's longest running comedy show with the same core cast. They also perform in theatres and festivals, including at Shakespeare's Globe annually since 1998 and for over 20 years at Regents Park Open Air Theatre.
Guest performers have included Marcus Brigstocke, Pippa Evans, Julian Clary and Eddie Izzard.
Upcoming Dates
Date: Sun 2 Aug 2026
Venue: Comedy Store
Price: £13.25 to £25.25
Improv with Lee Simpson; Ruth Bratt; Josie Lawrence; Richard Vranch; Rachel Parris; Kirsty Newton
Show starts: 19:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Date: Sun 9 Aug 2026
Venue: Comedy Store
Price: £13.25 to £25.25
Improv with Lee Simpson, Monica Gaga, Josie Lawrence, Richard Vranch, Cariad Lloyd, Steve Edi
Show starts: 19:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Date: Sun 16 Aug 2026
Venue: Comedy Store
Price: £13.25 to £25.25
Improv with Lee Simpson, Heather Urquhart, Josie Lawrence, Richard Vranch, Niall Ashdown, Richard Baker
Show starts: 19:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Date: Sun 23 Aug 2026
Venue: Comedy Store
Price: £13.25 to £25.25
Improv with Lee Simpson, Monica Gaga, Josie Lawrence, Richard Vranch, David Reed, Steve Edis
Show starts: 19:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Date: Sun 30 Aug 2026
Venue: Comedy Store
Price: £13.25 to £25.25
Improv with Neil Mullarkey, Josie Lawrence, Lee Simpson, Niall Ashdown, Steve Edis
Show starts: 19:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Reviews
Mike Myers with the Comedy Store Players
You’d be forgiven for thinking that The Comedy Store Players are as old as London itself.
6/07/2011
Twenty-five years the Comedy Store Players have been going; and you’ll be hard-pressed to think of many credible improv groups that have sprung up in all that…
1/01/2010