Missing the Fringe? Missing being able to laugh your socks off, seeing the best in action or discovering your next favourite comedian? If so, there's good news on the horizon as the Edinburgh International Improv Festival is set to return to the city on Thu 27 Feb 2020 after a successful launch earlier this year. Featuring 90 national and international up-and-coming or already world-renowned names, the festival aims to promote improv, to educate, to introduce new voices and to encourage amateurs to be bold and try new things, as well as to inspire individuals to participate.

With various shows every day, plenty of informative and fun workshops, coaching sessions, open mic nights and more, the organisers are hoping to reach out to an even wider audience than last year. And what better way to do it than by having award-winning Fringe favourites involved as headliners? Showstopper: The Improved Musical will kick off proceedings on Thu 27 Feb with a typically high energy set, taking the audience's tips and suggestions to create a unique and madcap musical.

Alongside participating in this witty and incredibly entertaining show, Showstoppers will also be leading one of the many workshops happening throughout the festival, giving Scottish improvisers the chance to learn from some of the best in the wider UK improv scene. Other workshops and learning opportunities taking place during the festival include coaching for an international ensemble troupe, two open jam nights for anyone up for giving it a go, and a children's charity show, all of which culminates in a final 'all-star' performance with a special guest on board.

Showstoppers / credit: Jonathan Lappin

Other acts involved in EIIF include Will Hines, Billy Merrit, Heather Anne Campbell and Becky Drysdale, who are all coming over from the US to teach and headline at the festival. Also, local improv duo Stu & Garry will be on hand to support headliners Showstoppers, giving audiences a taste of the unique brand of improv they perform all year round as Stand Comedy Club residents.

EIIF Executive Producer Michelle McKay said: 'When myself and [Artistic Director] Jason first discussed the festival, we knew there was an appetite here in Edinburgh for improv due to the many successful improv shows at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, but our first year exceeded both our expectations in terms of audience but also the interest and support from the improv community here in the UK and internationally. Not only did we have troupes performing from the US and Europe, we even had audiences coming from as far afield as New Zealand just to attend the festival.'

Full details of the programme will be announced shortly so stay tuned for further updates on the shows, workshops, talks and open mic jams.

The Edinburgh International Improv Festival, Scottish Storytelling Centre & Assembly Roxy, Thu 27 Feb–Sun 1 Mar. For further information, visit edimprovfest.com.