Comedy Masterclasses

At Soho Theatre we are delighted to announce the first of a series of one day masterclasses taking place over Zoom featuring some of the top performers working in the industry today.

Each performer will be looking back at one of their previous shows available on the Soho Theatre On Demand player and taking you step by step through its creation. From developing the idea, to performing on the opening night and beyond, they will be letting you in on the secrets of their creative process.

Jessie Cave – Thursday 9th July

An acclaimed actress, writer and illustrator, Jessie Cave’s last solo stand up show Sunrise had multiple sell out runs at Soho Theatre and around the UK. Always confessional and never afraid to go to places others might find uncomfortable, Jessie has built a strong following with her honesty, unique charm and tight writing.

In I Loved Her, Jessie’s first solo stand up show, she opens up her DIY heart and explains in definitely too much detail her insecurities, jealousies, fantasies and her exact current relationship status via shadow puppetry, masks and her little book of confessions.

Jen Brister – Thursday 16th July

Jen Brister is a critically acclaimed stand up comedian and writer who has been seen on BBC’s Live at the Apollo, Frankie Boyle’s New World Order and more recently on Hypothetical and Sara Pascoe’s Comedians Giving Lectures on Dave. A regular performer on the UK and international comedy circuits, Jen has written and performed on BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz, The Now Show and presented for BBC 6 Music. Her book, The Other Mother has just been published by Square Peg and is due out in paperback in September. Jen supported Romesh Ranganathan on tour at the end of 2019 before embarking on her own tour in 2020 with her brand new show, Under Privilege.

In Meaningless, Jen uses her hilarious ranting to rail against period poverty, the perimenopause and why her Mum needs to
get out of her bloody house now.

Jordan Brookes – Thursday 23rd July

Jordan Brookes has created and performed 5 shows in the last 5 years in Edinburgh. His 2017 show, Body of Work, garnered him a Nomination for Best Comedy Show, and in 2019 his show I’ve Got Nothing, won him the same award.

Each of his shows are unique and different and throughout these sessions Jordan will workshop different elements for developing full shows. How is it different to develop and perform a semi-improvised show like I’ve Got Nothing compared to operating within the technical constraints of Bleed? When is tech important for narrative story-telling and when is it better to be more loose and vulnerable on stage? These questions, and many of your own, to be covered by Jordan’s unique insight.

Shappi Khorsandi – Thursday 30th July

Shappi is a stalwart of the UK comedy circuit. Over her 20-year career, she has performed sell-out shows all over the UK and internationally, been nominated for the prestigious British Comedy Award and appeared on every comedy panel show known to man from Mock The Week to Have I got News For News as well as appearances on Live at the Apollo and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

In Live In Soho, Shappi talks about what it means to be addicted to stand-up, to have a father who is more controversial than her and to bring a pudding to a red-carpet event…

Places on these masterclasses are limited to 25 participants and cost £50, including digital download of the performers show, and are strictly limited to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to ask questions and learn as much as possible in a more intimate online setting.