UK improvised comedy company The Free Association is opening its first permanent venue in London.
The new 104-seat venue, which also features a café and bar, is based on Old Union Yard Arches in Southwark, South London.
The venue will be dedicated to alternative comedy with improv at its core, and offering an expanded programme of comedy incorporating character, sketch and clown.
The opening week will kick off with performances including The FA’s flagship show This Doesn’t Leave The Room, which has previously welcomed special guests like Amelia Dimoldenberg, alongside the critically acclaimed St Doctor’s Hospital and Nana’s Kitchen.
Future shows will include comedy talents such as David Elms, fresh from sold-out runs at Soho Theatre and the Edinburgh Fringe, and Ithamar Enriquez with his wordless one-man sketch show.
The venue will also become a creative hub for performers, audiences, and feature a purpose-built classroom to host sessions led by The FA’s improv school.
The venue has been made possible by the generous support of The FA community, who helped raise £18,000 through Crowdfunder.
Founded in 2015, The Free Association started above the De Beauvoir Arms and later expanded to the Lord Stanley in Camden, where it ran shows and classes.
The FA has been instrumental in launching the careers of many standout talents, whose alumni includes such names as Ambika Mod, Phil Wang, Olga Koch, and Ritu Arya. Hollywood star Bryce Dallas Howard attended a workshop while preparing to play an improv teacher in Deep Cover, one of Prime Video’s latest comedy film releases.
What They Said
The FA’s founder Graham Dickson said in a statement: “This move has been such a long time in the making for us, so we’re unbelievably thrilled to finally open our own theatre with our name on it. We hope to make it a home to be proud of – not just for improv, but for the whole comedy community.”
Jonny Collis-Scurll who co-owns The Free Association said: “Our community of performers and students have long deserved a venue of this calibre, and I can’t wait to showcase them in our new home!”
Ryan Dench co-owner of The Free Association said: “This new home is about building on that spark of belonging and shared laughter. I’m so incredibly proud of everyone who’s been part of this adventure so far, and excited for what comes next.”
Comedian and actress Liz Kingsman said: “It has been a privilege to be a part of The Free Association since they opened their doors over ten years ago. It is incredibly exciting to finally have a destination for the ever-growing improv community, and to safeguard the general public from the dangers of having improvisers on the streets.”
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