The Free Association, the UK’s leading home of improvised comedy, has launched The Big Scene Improv Festival, a brand-new improv festival that will run from 13th to 17th May 2026 and see more than 25 incredible shows performed. Tickets are on sale now and available from https://www.bigscene.co.uk/allshows.
In May, The FA will welcome improv stars from the US, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, Ireland and more, including star of Netflix’s One Day Ambika Mod in Mailbox #23, Knives Out star Edi Patterson in Tenesee Williams UnScripted and Cook County Social Club who will be performing their first ever UK show. The iconic improv collective formally included comedy legend Tim Robinson.
The Big Scene Improv Festival will see five days of shows, workshops and headliners and showcase the very best in improvised comedy. Other shows include The FA’s hit headline show This Doesn’t Leave the Room, featuring some very special guests, hit UCB show Asian AF, plus improv legends Drew DiFonzo Marks, Holly Laurent and Toni Charline. There will also be a selection of improv and writing workshops, led by leading improv experts from across the globe.
The festival follows the opening of the UK’s first purpose built improv theatre in 2025, tucked away in Southwark’s Old Union Yard. Big Scene will take place across The FA theatre and teaching space and Old Union Yard, which houses two theatres, three bars, a restaurant, outdoor seating and now some of the world’s top improv comedy talent. One thing is for sure, The FA will be making a very Big Scene in 2026!
Graham Dickson, Director of the Free Association and Big Scene Improv Festival organiser said: “This festival is the culmination of years of dreaming and planning at the FA. We’re beyond excited to host our very first Big Scene – the first international improv festival in London of this scale and scope. We can’t wait to welcome all the acts and guests from around the world and across our country and great city – and to introduce London audiences to a truly inspiring, hilarious and diverse improv lineup. We want this festival to become a landmark on the UK’s comedy map for years to come. It’s gonna be big!”