Paul Merton, Richard Vranch, Suki Webster, Mike McShane and accompanist Kirsty Newton are back on the road in 2022 to visit some of their favourite parts of the UK with another evening of mind-blowing improvisation. The collective improvisational experience embodied in the Chums is a joy to behold. They flex their improvisational muscles to delight and entertain audiences in this country and abroad.
The gang come to Oxford Playhouse on Sunday 1st May, with doors opening at 8.00pm
The Comedy Store Players was formed in 1985 and is in the Guinness World Records for being the world’s longest-running comedy show with the same cast. Currently there are seven regular cast members; Josie Lawrence, Paul Merton, Neil Mullarkey, Lee Simpson, Andy Smart, Jim Sweeney and Richard Vranch. Guests performer ave included Niall Ashdown, Marcus Brigstocke, Stephen Frost, Eddie Izzard, Greg Proops, Steve Steen and Phill Jupitus.
Merton’s breakthrough as a television performer came in 1988 with Channel 4’s improvised comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway? and remained on the show until 1993. The show also featured Mike McShane and Richard Vrance on the piano.
Paul Merton is a founder member of The Comedy Store Players, he still appears at the Comedy Store in London most Sundays. He is a resident guest on BBC Radio 4’s Just A Minute and is an established face on TV shows such as the hugely popular Have I Got News For You, Room 101, Paul Merton Looks at Alfred Hitchcock (BBC4/2), Paul Merton’s Birth of Hollywood (BBC 2) and his travel series for Channel Five, Paul Merton’s Adventures which covered his travels in India, China and Europe. His Autobiography, Only When I Laugh reached the Sunday Times bestseller Top 10 and in the summer of 2021 he co-starred with Suki in Motorhoming with Paul Merton and Suki Webster a six part travel documentary series for Channel 5.
Mike McShane has been lucky enough to live by improvising with friends and making friends by improvising. He appeared at the Menier Chocolate Factory in Little Shop of Horrors and Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins. TV work includes Doctor Who, Bluestone 42 (BBC) , NCIS LA (CBS) and Wayward Pines (FOX)Currently he can be seen in the webisode western, Red Bird. Go to @thismikemcshane on twitter to find out what latest things he’s up to!!
Richard Vranch improvises comedy in The Comedy Store Players and provides voices for documentaries and adverts. He also works as a writer, stand-up comic and actor. He’s presented a science series on Channel 4 and has appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Infinite Monkey Cage with Prof Brian Cox. Richard has toured the world from Mexico to Palestine acting in sketch shows and appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe since 1979.
Suki Webster is a regular guest of The Comedy Store Players and has toured the world with Paul Merton’s Impro Chums. In 2021 Suki co-starred with Paul in Motorhoming with Paul Merton and Suki Webster a six-part travel documentary series for Channel 5. My Obsession, a comedy drama series, which she wrote and starred in was aired on Radio 4 in June 2019. Other TV work includes Giles Wemmbley Hogg (BBC 2) and Ross Noble’s directorial debut The Catchment (Sky.) She has also written five documentaries for the BBC TV. Her own improvisation show Suki Webster’s Guest Speaker continues to grow in its success.
Kirsty Newton is a regular musical guest with The Comedy Store Players and has toured with Arthur Smith, Rich Hall, Phil Nichol, Mitch Benn and Jonny & The Baptists amongst many others. She was the musical improviser for Whose Line Is It Anyway? at the Edinburgh Fringe 2019 and her solo show Life Begins At Party! won critical acclaim in 2016.
www.paulmerton.com | www.comedystoreplayers.com
“THEY CONTINUE TO BE THE FINEST EXPONENTS OF THE IMPROV ART” ««««« Daily Mirror
“A UNIQUELY PRECIPITOUS BRAND OF FUN” ««««Guardian
“MERTON’S CHUMS ARE SOME OF THE MOST SEASONED PERFORMERS IN THIS FIELD AND KNOW JUST HOW TO WORK THE GAMES, THE SUGGESTIONS AND THE AUDIENCE FOR MAXIMUM EFFECT. …PURE HILARITY ««««« British Theatre Guide
Venue: Theatre Royal MARGATE
Dates: Friday 25th March
Time: 7.30pm
Box Office: 01843 292 795
Online: margate-live.com
Venue: Grove Theatre DUNSTABLE
Dates: Saturday 26th March
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01582 60 20 80 (opt 2)
Online: grovetheatre.co.uk
Venue: Everyman Theatre CHELTENHAM
Dates: Sunday 27th March
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01242 572 573
Online: everymantheatre.org.uk
Venue: Playhouse NOTTINGHAM
Dates: Monday 28th March
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 0115 941 9419
Online: nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Venue: Palace Theatre SOUTHEND
Dates: Tuesday 29th March
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01702 351 135
Online: southendtheatres.org.uk
Venue: City Varieties LEEDS
Dates: Friday 1st April
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 0113 243 0808
Online: leedsheritagetheatres.com
Venue: Gaiety Theatre ISLE OF MAN
Dates: Saturday 2nd April
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01624 600 555
Online: villagaiety.com
Venue: Mechanics BURNLEY
Dates: Sunday 3rd April
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01282 664400
Online: burnleyleisure.co.uk/locations/burnley-mechanics-theatre/
Venue: The Leadmill SHEFFIELD
Dates: Monday 4th April
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 0114 2727 040
Online: leadmill.co.uk
Venue: Victoria Theatre HALIFAX
Dates: Tuesday 5th April
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01422 351 158
Online: victoriatheatre.co.uk
Venue: Tyne Theatre & Opera House NEWCASTLE
Dates: Friday 8th April
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 0844 2491 000
Online: tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
Venue: Albert Halls STIRLING
Dates: Saturday 9th April
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01786 473 544
Online: stirilingevents.org/albert-halls-event/
Venue: Eden Court INVERNESS
Dates: Sunday 10th April
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01463 234 234
Online: eden-court.co.uk
Venue: Music Hall ABERDEEN
Dates: Monday 11th April
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: N/A
Online: aberdeenperformingarts.com
Venue: Tramway GLASGOW
Dates: Tuesday 12th April
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 0845 330 3501
Online: tramway.org
Venue: Wycombe Swan HIGH WYCOMBE
Dates: Friday 22nd April
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01494 512 000
Online: wycombeswan.co.uk
Venue: New Theatre Royal PORTSMOUTH
Dates: Saturday 23rd April
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 023 9264 9000
Online: newtheatreroyal.com
Venue: Octagon Theatre YEOVIL
Dates: Sunday 24th April
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01935 422 884
Online: octago-theatre.co.uk
Venue: Queens Theatre BARNSTAPLE
Dates: Monday 25th April
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01271 316 523
Online: queenstheatre-barnstaple.com
Venue: Northcott Theatre EXETER
Dates: Tuesday 26th April
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01392 72 63 63
Online: exeternorthcott.co.uk
Venue: Theatre Royal WINCHESTER
Dates: Friday 29th April
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01962 840 440
Online: theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk
Venue: Wyvern Theatre SWINDON
Dates: Saturday 30th April
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01793 524 481
Online: swindontheatres.co.uk
Venue: Playhouse OXFORD
Dates: Sunday 1st May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01865 305 305
Online: oxfordplayhouse.com
Venue: Churchill Theatre BROMLEY
Dates: Monday 2nd May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 0203 285 6000
Online: churchilltheatre.co.uk
Venue: The Alban Arena ST ALBANS
Dates: Tuesday 3rd May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01727 844 488
Online: alban-arena.co.uk
Venue: De La Warr Pavilion BEXHILL ON SEA
Dates: Friday 6th May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01424 229 111
Online: dlwp.com
Venue: Playhouse WESTON SUPER MARE
Dates: Saturday 7th May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01934 645 544
Online: parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
Venue: Theatre Royal PLYMOUTH
Dates: Sunday 8th May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01752 668 282
Online: theatreroyal.com
Venue: Hall For Cornwall TRURO
Dates: Monday 9th May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01872 262 466
Online: hallforcornwall.co.uk
Venue: Pavilion Theatre WEYMOUTH
Dates: Tuesday 10th May
Time: 7.30pm
Box Office: 01305 783 225
Online: weymouthpavilion.com
Venue: The Lowry SALFORD QUAYS
Dates: Friday 13th May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 0343 208 6000
Online: thelowry.com
Venue: Lyceum CREWE
Dates: Saturday 14th May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01270 368 242
Online: crewelyceum.co.uk
Venue: Venue Cymru Theatre LLANDUDNO
Dates: Sunday 15th May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01492 872 000
Online: venuecymru.co.uk
Venue: Grand Opera House YORK
Dates: Monday 16th May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 0844 871 3024
Online: atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york/
Venue: Town Hall BIRMINGHAM
Dates: Friday 20th May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 0121 289 6333
Online: thsh.co.uk
Venue: Theatre Severn SHREWSBURY
Dates: Saturday 21st May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01743 281 281
Online: theatresevern.co.uk
Venue: The Curve LEICESTER
Dates: Sunday 22nd May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 0116 242 3595
Online: curveonline.co.uk
Venue: Ulster Hall BELFAST
Dates: Monday 23rd May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 028 9033 4455
Online: ulsterhall.co.uk
Venue: St David’s Hall CARDIFF
Dates: Tuesday 24th May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 029 2087 8444
Online: stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk
Venue: Albany Theatre COVENTRY
Dates: Friday 27th May
Time: 7.30pm
Box Office: 024 7699 8964
Online: albanytheatre.co.uk
Venue: Alive Corn Exchange KINGS LYNN
Dates: Sunday 29th May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01553 764 864
Online: kingslynncornexchange.co.uk
Venue: New Theatre PETERBOROUGH
Dates: Monday 30th May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01733 852 992
Online: newtheatre-peterborough.com
Venue: Theatre Royal LINCOLN
Dates: Tuesday 31st May
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01522 519 999
Online: newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk
Venue: The Rose Theatre KINGSTON UPON THAMES
Dates: Monday 6th June
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 0208 174 0090
Online: rosetheatre.org
Venue: The Forum BATH
Dates: Tuesday 7th June
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 0844 888 9991
Online: bathforum.co.uk
Venue: Assembly Hall Theatre TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Dates: Friday 10th June
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01892 530 613
Online: assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
Venue: The Anvil BASINGSTOKE
Dates: Saturday 11th June
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01256 844 244
Online: anvilarts.org.uk
Venue: Brighton Dome BRIGHTON
Dates: Sunday 12th June
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01273 709 709
Online: brightondome.org
Venue: G Live GUILDFORD
Dates: Monday 13th June
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01483 369 350
Online: glive.co.uk
Venue: Lighthouse Arts Theatre POOLE
Dates Tuesday 14th June
Time: 8.00pm
Box Office: 01202 280 000
Online: lighthousepoole.co.uk
