Theatre Royal Plymouth launches Armed Forces Comedy Club

6th May 2025

Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) is proud to announce the launch of its brand-new Armed Forces Comedy Club, a unique opportunity for members of the regional Armed Forces community to explore comedy, creativity, and performance skills.

Running from Wednesday 07 May, this free programme invites serving personnel and veterans to take part in a 12-week course of comedy and performance workshops, held every Wednesday from 7pm to 9pm at TR2, Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Production and Learning Centre.

Split into two terms, the first six weeks will focus on improvisation, followed by a six-week term centred on stand-up comedy. Each term will culminate in a celebratory sharing session for friends and family.

Led by professional performers Sam Morgan and Suzy Bennett, and a guest stand-up comedian, the course offers participants the chance to build confidence, develop new skills, and experience the therapeutic power of laughter. Sam, who has previously led sketch work at TRP, will focus on improv sessions, while Susy, best known for her work on NHS The Musical, will lead the comedy workshops. The programme will also be supported by veteran and practitioner, Tip Cullen.

Participants will have the opportunity to attend live comedy nights at local venues, including the Barbican Theatre and Bread & Roses.

Becky Ormrod, Programme Manager for TRP’s Our Space initiative, said:
"This is a fantastic opportunity to offer a creative outlet for people with a shared background. The Armed Forces Comedy Club is all about building camaraderie and creating a sense of community, and sharing the feel-good factor that comes with comedy, laughter and performance."

Interested participants can register by emailing OurSpace@theatreroyal.com. Free parking is available, and transport from Theatre Royal Plymouth can be arranged if needed.

The Armed Forces Comedy Club is part of TRP’s Our Space programme, which centres around four key strands of work, including the Armed Forces. Funded by the Veterans’ Foundation, this element provides weekly workshops for service personnel, veterans and long-term wounded, injured and sick, using drama as a tool to build confidence.

In November, TRP formally demonstrated its ongoing support for the Armed Forces by signing the Armed Forces Covenant, later receiving the Bronze Award from the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme.

The Covenant is a channel for voluntary and charitable bodies and private organisations to officially recognise the sacrifices that individuals make as a result of their duty. This extends to the families of serving members who play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of the UK’s Armed Forces.