The incredible ‘Showstopper! The Improvised Musical’ have announced more tour dates and West End shows throughout 2025! Spontaneous musical comedy at its finest, this is the first ever long-form improv show to have a full West End run and to be nominated and win an Olivier Award. For those who haven’t yet experienced the live phenomenon that is ‘Showstopper! The Improvised Musical’, the show is a fully-realised musical created on the spot from audience suggestions. The cast take ideas for settings, genres, musical styles and the show title and weave it into ingenious storylines with hilarious characters. From Lin Manuel Miranda to Stephen Sondheim, whether it’s set in a primary school, Ancient Egypt, or a mattress shop – if the audience thinks it, The Showstoppers can turn it into a hit musical. The majority of the cast also have much acclaim with founder member Ruth Bratt being part of the famous Comedy Store Players, the longest running impro show in the country; Pippa Evans being a regular on BBC Radio 4, has toured with I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue and wrote ‘Now That's What I Call A Musical!’ (that’s currently on UK tour). The pilot of Hopping, a new comedy from Lucy Trodd and Susan Harrison, aired on BBC Radio 4 and Matt Cavendish appeared on this year’s Royal Variety Performance with Mischief Theatre's ‘A Comedy About Spies’. Co-founder Adam Meggido directed the West End and Broadway hit show Peter Pan Goes Wrong. The incredibly talented West End star Miracle Chance (Roald Dahl’s The Witches at the National Theatre, Veronica Sawyer in Heathers at The Other Palace) has just joined the cast. The Showstoppers also regularly run improvisation workshops and courses for beginners and professionals and have a successful podcast - The Showstopper! Podcast, with recent guests including Zizi Strallen, Rufus Hound and Reuben Kaye. The Showstoppers have performed created more than 1,000 brand new musicals since they were formed in 2008 but they don’t stop working hard at their craft – they have to learn to improvise in the style of every hit show that comes to town, and they always encourage audiences to challenge them and keep them on their toes. As a result, they continue fill theatres, delight audiences and win awards. In 2024 they were in the Top 10 best reviewed shows of entire Edinburgh Fringe – for the second year running - no mean feat in their 15th year selling out the Pleasance Grand once more!

Festival on The Close present Manford's Comedy Club With Maisie Adam and Babatunde Aleshe Join us for an uproarious night of comedy right here at Festival on The Close in support of Cancer Research UK. Schedule: MC Barry Dodds kicking off at 20:00 Babatunde Aleshe takes over with his multi award-winning comedy 20:10 - 20:30 INTERVAL MC Barry Dodds returns to introduce our second act 20:40 Charlie Lewis presents his witty one liners 20:50 - 21:10 INTERVAL MC Barry Dodds returns to introduce our third and final act 21:20 Maisie Adam headlines with her witty charm and anecdotal material 21:30 The event will wrap up around 22:15. "Bringing the best bunch of award-winning comedians to Rugby, Manford's Comedy Club always delivery on a great night out! The thrill of being there is something that nothing can replicate, the excitement of watching a performer with your mates, colleagues or loved ones knowing that absolutely anything could happen and witnessing the magic that only happens there in that very moment; its why stand up comedy remains one of the best nights out youll ever have." Jason Manford Guaranteed laugh-out-loud moments from start to finish, this really is a night not to be missed. Maisie Adam Maisie Adam is fast on her way from being one of the brightest rising stars of the UK comedy scene to becoming a household name. Since winning the nationwide So You Think Youre Funny? competition in 2017, she has won Best New Act at the Chortle Awards and the Amused Moose National New Act gong, as well as being nominated Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe.l for her debut show Vague . She followed this up with two more shows; a sold out Edinburgh run of the critically acclaimed Hang Fire , before embarking on a sold out 63-date tour of her most recent show Buzzed which went on to finish with a sold out run at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Maisie's anecdotal material and witty charm have quickly won her praise across the country, and she has since appeared on Live At The Apollo, A League Of Their Own, Mock the Week, Have I Got News for You, QI, Roast Battle, 8 Out of 10 Cats and the Royal Variety Performance. She is also the host of the hugely successful Big Kick Energy podcast which she co-hosts with friend and fellow comedian Suzi Ruffell, and won Sports Podcast of the Year in the Sports Broadcast Awards just 5 months after the first episode aired. Babatunde Aleshe The hugely popular Babatunde Alsh is an award winning comedian, actor and podcaster. A firm TV favourite, Babatunde Alsh is one of the most popular names in UK entertainment. Much in demand, Babatundes impressive list of credits include The Jonathan Ross Show (ITV), The Last Leg (C4), Would I Lie To You (BBC), Big Fat Quiz of Everything (C4) World's Most Dangerous Roads (DAVE) and Live at the Apollo (BBC) as well as being a cast regular in the BAFTA nominated Celebrity Gogglebox (C4). In 2022 his Mission Imagination podcast series in association with Penguin Publishing won the prestigious ARIAS Award. In 2023 Baba launched his smash hit debut tour Babahood which sold a phenomenal 30,000 tickets. In 2024 Baba was announced as Head Judge for the BBC New Comedian of the Year and as the new Taskmaster cast for Channel 4. He also has a hugely sucsessful podcast series Then and Now with wife Leonie Aleshe for Media Giant Global. A popular branded ambassador, his partnerships include John Lewis, Mattel, Ireland Tourism, Boots & ASDA. As an experienced actor, he has appeared in an extensive list of shows including Sky Ones Both Sides Now, Waking the Dead and films including Pelican Blood and The Naked Poet, alongside cutting-edge theatre such as Iya Il (Soho Theatre) and Requiem for Tomorrow (Shaw Theatre). All artists are subject to availability and may change. To keep updated with all Festival on The Close announcements, follow us on our socials: @festivalonthecloserugby

Festival on The Close present Jo Whiley DJ Set Supported by Stringfever Jo Whiley is one of the most iconic voices in British broadcasting, known for her dynamic career on television and as a beloved DJ on BBC Radio 2. With her infectious energy and expert music curation, she has become a favourite among listeners. Jo brings this joy to her live DJ sets, where she spins an eclectic mix of massive singalong anthems, party hits, indie classics, and pop gems. Her sets are a celebration of feel-good vibes, creating an unforgettable atmosphere that gets crowds dancing and singing along in an instant. STRINGFEVER will be warming up the audience ahead of Jo Whiley's DJ set which will kick-off about 20:45. About Jo Whiley Arguably one of the most recognisable voices in British Broadcasting, Jo Whiley has had an exciting and varied career and is considered one of the nations favourite radio DJs. Jo was born in Northampton. After studying in Brighton and dabbling on BBC Radio Sussexs new music show, her first broadcasting job was as a presenter for WPFM, Radio 4s youth culture and music show. She then moved over into TV, initially on satellite, then to Channel 4 as band booker for The Word, giving Britain its first television taste of bands such as Nirvana and Rage Against The Machine. Jo joined Radio 1 in the Spring of 1993 and in September she became permanent co-presenter of The Evening Session with Steve Lamacq. Four years later she landed her own daytime show, and remained part of Radio 1s weekday line-up until 2009, when she began a new weekend programme. Jo has also presented coverage of the Glastonbury Festival on Radio 1, Channel 4 and BBC-TV, plus shes hosted several music programmes for Channel 4. Jo now presents the 7:30pm slot weekdays on BBC Radio 2. Jo is a celebrity ambassador to Mencap, a UK charity that works to support people with learning difficulties. She hosts the Little Noise Sessions concerts, in aid of the Mencap charity enlisting the support of many well known international music artists. She is also a supporter of Tommys The Baby Charity. Jo is also the Patron of the Cri du Chat Syndrome Support Group. About Stringfever Classical, a little bit Rock and Roll, humorous and a whole lot entertaining, STRINGFEVER has something for everyone! After more than 2000 performances of their show, in over 40 countries, including 10 tours of the USA, this internationally acclaimed electric string quartet return to their home town of Rugby to Rock the Close! With their 5 String Violectras and their beat-boxing one man rhythm section, this family band have re-invented string playing. Their completely unique sound enables them to be able to perform classics by Tchaikovsky, John Williams, Led Zeppelin, Guns & Roses, and Queen as you will have never seen before! All artists are subject to availability and may change. To keep updated with all Festival on The Close announcements, follow us on our socials: @festivalonthecloserugby

BBC Big Band together with Festival on The Close presents Swing Legends Musical Director: Barry Forgie Join the internationally acclaimed BBC Big Band and conductor Barry Forgie for a celebration the very finest in big band and swing. Widely regarded as one the worlds leading Jazz Orchestras, The BBC Big Band continues to delight audiences around the world through their broadcasts on BBC Radio as well the limited number of live performances they give at some of the countrys most prestigious venues. The Bands musical collaborations read like a whos who of the international music scene, and have included artists as diverse as: Tony Bennett, Martin Taylor, Robert Palmer, Louis Stewart, Van Morrison, Amy Winehouse, Mel Torme, Clark Terry, Michael Buble, Dr John, George Benson, Van Morrison, Georgie Fame, and Ray Charles to name just a few! Within the UK, the BBC Big Band is probably best known for its work across the BBCs radio channels BBC Radio 2 and Radio 3. Their performances also reach huge global audience, through its regular broadcasts for the BBC World Service, and via the BBCs iPlayer service making this a truly international music institution. Live performances have included numerous appearances at Londons Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms, as well as the BBC Proms in the Park series in Hyde Park; as well as concerts at the UKs premier concert venues, including venues as diverse as Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Snape Maltings, Manchesters Bridgewater Hall, Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club, The Glasshouse Gateshead, and Londons Cadogan Hall. " World-class musicians a brilliant musical force" The Telegraph " Joyous " George Benson "I told my wife that for my next birthday I want this band as a gift! " Lalo Schifrin To keep updated with all Festival on The Close announcements, follow us on our socials: @festivalonthecloserugby

Festival on The Close presents The Horne Section They have two series of their own Channel 4 TV show, an iTunes-chart-topping podcast and now theyre tuning up their instruments once more to come to Festival on The Close, Rugby: its the Horne Sections HitShow! "Britain's Funniest Band" (The Guardian) have made appearances on The Last Leg (Channel 4), Peter Crouchs Year-Late Euros (BBC One), they are Dictionary Corner regulars on 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and the only band to ever host Never Mind The Buzzcocks . Separately, members of The Horne Section have performed with recording artists including Robbie Williams, Madness, Florence and the Machine, Amy Winehouse, George Ezra, Basement Jaxx, Disclosure and NoelGallaghers High Flying Birds. Unruly, ridiculous, and surprisingly satisfying, the six-headed comedy band includes five outstanding musicians and one non-musical stand-up. Therell be comedy, songs, enthusiastic dancing, and a lot of mucking about. A brand-new show from the hugely talented band and Alex Horne, the creator and co-host of the BAFTA and National Comedy Award-winning Taskmaster . We cant recommend The Horne Section highly enough Time Out endlessly charming, offbeat humour The Independent funny and delightful... this is a welcome escapist treat Heat To keep updated with all Festival on The Close announcements, follow us on our socials: @festivalonthecloserugby

Motionhouse together with Festival on The Close present WILD WILD, explores our relationship with the natural environment. In our modern lives, is the wild still shaping our behaviour? Using the powerful physicality distinctive to Motionhouse, WILD creates an urban forest in the everyday of the city. Performers use dynamic choreography, acrobatic movement and hand-to-hand partnering to move through a forest of tall poles, which forms the striking set for WILD. From the top of the pole, life in the canopy looks down onto the forest floora dangerous world of unknown meetings. WILD has been a major hit with audiences of all ages since its premiere in 2019. It has wowed more than 100,000 people with its gravity-defying dance, acrobatics and circus. The show never fails to attract large audiences, and where the space allows, it has regularly been watched by 1,5002,000 people at each performance, making it a thrilling festival highlight. Show Time: 6pm Running Time: 45 minutes Suitable for all ages. To keep updated with all Festival on The Close announcements, follow us on our socials: @festivalonthecloserugby