Liverpool is a city built on spontaneous creativity, and the Liverpool Improvisation Festival (LiF) returns this spring as its beating heart. Running from 7 May to 10 May 2026, the festival brings together the world’s most elite improvisers alongside the finest local talent to showcase the art of the unscripted to a global audience.
From high-stakes improvised theatre to boundary-pushing comedy, LiF 2026 transforms the city into a hub of innovation. Supported by the Unity Theatre, Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), and Liverpool Arts Bar Studios, this is more than just a festival. It is a community where artists and audiences take risks together.
2026 Festival Highlights
The programme for 2026 is the most ambitious to date, featuring 18 live shows and three world premieres. Attendees can expect a multidisciplinary feast that extends far beyond traditional comedy, spanning clowning, shadow puppetry, musical theatre, and storytelling.
Highlights of the 2026 line-up include:
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David Elms Describes a Room: The multi-award-winning show follows sold-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and Soho Theatre.
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Limboland: Internationally acclaimed musical improviser T.J. Mannix brings his latest hit show to the LiF stage.
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The Sinners’ Table: The world-renowned ImprompTwo & Co present a sharp, improvised look at the awkward guests found at every wedding.
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Ancestors: A sweeping production where twelve international and national improvisers trace a story across generations through the memories of a single house.
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School of Night: These legends of literary improvisation return to LiF after playing prestigious venues such as the National Theatre, The Globe, and Elsinore Castle.
Learn from the Best
For those looking to step onto the stage themselves, the festival offers seven intensive workshops led by renowned international practitioners. These sessions are designed to showcase the full range of improvised performance, providing a space for spontaneous innovation and professional development.
Whether you are there to watch, learn, or perform, LiF 2026 is the ultimate destination for anyone interested in the power of live, improvised art.
Dates and Locations
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Unity Theatre: Thursday 7 May to Saturday 9 May 2026.
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Liverpool Arts Bar Studios (Workshops): Thursday 7 May to Sunday 10 May 2026.
Ticketing and Prices Tickets for shows are available via the Unity Theatre website or by calling 0151 709 4988.
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Standard Shows (40+ mins): £9 (£7 concessions for Creative Pool members).
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Extended Shows (50+ mins): £11 (£7 concessions for Creative Pool members).
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All-Access Passes: Options range from £24 for a Friday pass to £72 for a full three-day all-access ticket.
Workshops Workshop tickets can be purchased directly from the official festival website at www.liverpoolimprovfestival.com.
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3-Hour Workshop: £34.50 (plus booking fee).
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6-Hour Workshop: £69.00 (plus booking fee).
For more information and the full programme of events, please visit www.unitytheatre.co.uk or www.liverpoolimprovfestival.com.
