​​Course Description

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Improvisation is brilliant, that is until the funniest scenes of your life disappear into forgotten memories because no one ever wrote it down.

 

If you’ve ever wished you could turn your improv best moments, memorable characters, or never-had-a-chance-to-initiate premises into real, scripted sketch comedy, then call the fire brigade because this course and you are going to get on like a house on fire. 

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In this brand new course over 6 x Wednesday nights, we’ll dig into some of comedy's classic sketch structures and tropes. We'll build on core improv skills to fuel ideas, explore the 'Game of the scene' as an engine that drives a sketch.

 

We'll also cover loads of other essential comedic writing techniques like: 

 

• Effective premises 

•  Crafting satisfying endings 

•  Heightening

•  Pull back and reveals

•  Writer's block inspiration 

•  Effective premises

•  Pitching a sketch in a Writers' Room

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Dates

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Wednesday Evenings:

25th Feb 2026 - Wed 1st April 2026 ​

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About the Instructor

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Maria Peters has spent years performing with and learning from world-class comedic writers including Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer), Neil Casey (Saturday Night Live), Josie Lawrence and Paul Merton (Whose Line Is It Anyway), Abra Tabak (Late Night with Seth Meyers), Kevin McDonald (Kids in the Hall), Will Hines (The Late Late Show with James Corden), Chris Grace (Drop Out TV), Gráinne Maguire (BBC The Now Show), TJ and Dave, The Pajama Men, Keith Johnstone, and a range of veteran performers from Second City, UCB, iO, and The Annoyance.

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She has performed on stages from London's West End to the Edinburgh Fringe, and improvised shows across the UK, Europe, and USA. Maria was a sketch writer for NewsJack's BBC Radio Comedy writers’ room, gaining first hand insight into pitching and developing sketch ideas.

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Pulling from this wealth of experience, Maria will be sharing her favourite comedy writing tips & tools for the very first time.

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