Open Comedy Courses

Do you have them chuckling in the office?
Do you have them guffawing down the pub?
Well why not stand up and make us all laugh?

Funny Business is a 6 week stand up comedy course finishing with a gig at one of Liverpool's best known venues. Through the course you will learn how to perform a comedy routine of your own, writing your own material under instructions from professional stand up comedians including the likes of Sam Avery, Brendan Riley and Andy Kind. At the end of the course you will be ready to perform to colleagues, family and friends at the Rawhide Comedy Club Liverpool alongside a headline act from the national comedy circuit.

When does it run?

Funny Business courses run 7 times per year. The next courses will start in October 2008.

Workshops take place at the Radio City Tower, Liverpool City Centre and the final show is at Royal Court Liverpool.

The Comedy Trust also run Funny Business courses in Southport Arts Centre every autumn, as part of the Southport Comedy Festival and St Helens as part of the St Helens Comedy Week in October.

We are now taking bookings for both the Liverpool and Southport Funny Business courses. For more info please email info@funny-business.org to receive an application pack.

What can it do for you?

Funny Business will help you to construct and perform your own stand up comedy routine. It will also help to boost your confidence and presentation skills which can be transferred to your working life. Funny Business graduates have gone on to perform regularly on the National Comedy Circuit. Others have used their new skills to directly help them in their jobs with tasks such as public speaking.

"The Funny Business Comedy Course has given me confidence in public speaking, and helped me to introduce humour when presenting. It has definitely given me more confidence and I've learned I can do something I never thought I could." Georgia Elliot-Smith, Consultancy Manager

• It doesn't stop there!

• The Comedy Trust are a well connected bunch and graduates who make the grade will be put forward for Rawhide RAW nights where you will be performing on the same stage that has showcased the likes of Peter Kay, Jimmy Carr and Johnny Vegas. We also run the annual Funny Business Competition during the Liverpool Comedy Festival were you have the opportunity to win a 10 minute open spot at Rawhide Comedy Club!

''Seventeen years ago I was a motor mechanic, I had never performed on stage or in fact written anything even close to a joke. I saw an advert in a newspaper for a comedy workshop and thought I would give it a go. At first I was petrified but as the workshop progressed I started to gain confidence and learn the basics of stand up comedy. In June 1990 I performed for the first time and since then I have performed all over the world I have written for and performed on countless TV and Radio shows. Comedy has totally changed my life and trust me it could do the same for you.'' Brendan Riley Comedian, writer, presenter and Funny Business Tutor.

Want to know more?

Please contact Sam Avery at Sam@funny-business.org or give us a call on 0870 443 0955.

People Say

" I had a brilliant time doing the funny business course, everyone was very friendly and supportive. The course not only ended in an enjoyable performing night, but has also inspired me to carry on writing and performing. I now feel more comfortable and confident addressing people, which has helped me in interviews and presentations at work. 10/10" Matthew Price

''I thoroughly enjoyed the course, so much so that I have stuck at it and have now performed at both the Rawhide Comedy Club and the Laughterhouse and have also taken part in national competitions.’’Anthony O’Neil of Halifax

“The whole thing was a cool experience that was really well done ...superb Practice on the day at Rawhide was terrifying, but great.” Paul Smith of Silverbeck Ryme