A 48-hour non-stop improvised comedy marathon is returning to Southend-on-Sea, Essex, from 17 April to 19 April 2026. The Southend 48 Hour Improvathon will be hosted at the Park Inn by Radisson Palace Hotel on the seafront.
The event is a non-profit fundraiser which will raise money for Trust Links Youth. This local organisation focuses on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people across the county.
Performers will create a continuous improvised sitcom that runs for 48 hours without any breaks. The show is divided into 24 separate episodes, each lasting two hours, which together tell one long story over the course of the weekend.
The production is directed by Ali James, a member of the award-winning Showstopper! The Improvised Musical company. The cast will include a mix of professional comedy actors and local talent from the community.
Tickets are available for individual two-hour episodes or as a full weekend pass for those who want to watch the entire marathon. Professional performers like Duncan Walsh-Atkins will also lead workshops on musical comedy and character building for those who want to learn how to improvise.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
