The Comedy Store players

The Comedy Store Players play in the Comedy Store, this much is simple. When Clive Anderson introduced someone as being from "The Comedy Store Players" on Whose Line Is It Anyway, this was what he was on about. The Players have been going for over fourteen years now.

Most of the people shown above and below are often on, there's some variation. Paul Merton isn't on that often. Other players include Josie Lawrence, Steven Frost, Tony Hawks and Steve Steen. Tony Slatery has recently returned and after a couple of shows shaking of the improv rust he's back to top form.

Every Sunday and Wednesday in London (and Thursday in Manchester - see below) there is a two hour show, all improvised. Heckling does NOT work and photography is a big no no as well. This photo was taken right at the end when they were taking a bow. The show is a bit like Whose Line... but different. It starts with the "Die" round where all the players have to make up a story, with the narration passing from player to player. The audience shout "Die" if a player stutters or makes a mistake. Other games include one player guessing a weird occupation suggested while they were out of the room -such as the person who draws the white lines round dead bodies, a musical and doing a scene in different theatre and film styles.

The show is always excellent and you can USUALLY get in by buying a ticket on the night, which is great for a London show. The only caveat is that the shows sometimes sell out if Paul Merton or Josie Lawrence are on, also the ability to buy tickets on the net seems to have made it harder to get in on the night.

Paul Merton (above), star of Have I Got News For You, comes over much the same way as he does on TV, which means it is a bonus when he is on. He can take over a little bit at times, again a bit like on Have I... and tends to do more surreal improvs than most, the show definitely has a different feel to it when Paul is there.

Richard Vranch you will probably know as the musician from Whose Line... but he does the full improv as well. He usually leads the musical items from the piano and guitar but will often get dragged into the story. I've been told that Richard studied the effect of radiation on microelectronics at University. I have not yet heard anyone suggest this for the weird job round, maybe one day...

Jim Sweeney has an edgy feeling to him. He's is very expressive and seems to pay a lot of attention to the others, he often does 'supporting improv' taking and developing ideas others start. On other times he goes right of the scale bonkers. Jim was kind enought to give me an autograph while waiting to collect some food from the diner.

Neil Mullarkey often takes on a 'superior' persona - an oily waiter, a devious villain, just - you know - 'educated'. He always gets a waiter improv somewhere each night, everytime, always.

Andy Smart just looks like he's enjoying doing the show. They all do really so that's not much help but the picture says it all - big grin. Andy is one of the more recent additions to the line up.

Lee Simpson is a god-like genius who bestrides the stage like a improvising Titan.

Lee is actually a very nice bloke who came over and had a chat after one of the shows, telling me lots of stuff about the history of the Players. He did so because of an introduction from one of my gusetbook contributors. i return I hope they approve this updated text.