The Improv Centre at Granville Island

The Improv Centre is a theatre at Vancouver’s Granville Island. It’s where you’ll find live improv, theatresports-style shows and stand-up comedy.

For the most up-to-date information about what’s showing at the theatre, visit theimprovcentre.ca/shows.

What’s Showing at the Improv Centre at Granville Island?

The Improv Centre was closed for a while because of COVID-19, but has been operating since early 2022. As of June 2023 there are regular shows on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Shows include Improv Against Humanity, Theatresports, Stand Up at The Improv, Friday Jr., Date Night, Tall Tales, House Teams Showcase, The Late Show, and Femme, Femme, Femme!

The venue’s address is 1502 Duranleau Street. It’s near the entrance to Granville Island under the Granville Street Bridge.

Note: The Improv Centre used to be the name of the venue where Vancouver Theatresports and Vancouver Theatresports League shows took place. The shows still happen, and at the same place. The organization behind the shows, however, is no longer called Vancouver Theatresports. Now everything is under the Improv Centre brand.

Bring Back the '90s! — Bring Back the ’90s! at The Improv Centre

Special Shows at the Improv Centre

There are special shows at the Improv Centre from time to time. They include seasonal shows, like romance-themed ones around Valentine’s Day, or Christmas-themed productions in December.

In June of 2023 one of the two special featured shows is Improv Against Humanity: Summer Fling. It takes place on Wednesday, June 7th. The show is inspired by Cards Against Humanity. It features hilarious improv with a vacation theme. The show starts at 7:30 pm and is intended for ages 18 and above.

The second featured show, Tall Tales: The Quest is Up to You!, is a limited time offering. It shows at 7:30 pm on select days between June 29th and August 19th in 2023. The show is family-friendly and interactive, as audiences become authors of the stories portrayed on stage.

See The Improv Centre‘s website for tickets and to learn more about the shows.

Regular Comedy Shows at the Improv Centre

As of June 2023, regular shows at Granville Island’s Improv Centre include Theatresports, Stand Up at The Improv, The Late Show, Femme, Femme, Femme!, Date Night, Friday Jr. and House Teams Showcase.

Theatresports at the Improv Centre

Theatresports is the name of the venue’s traditional style of show. It’s what the Improv Centre has become famous for.

During this show two teams of actors do short, improvised skits and compete against one another for points. It’s kind of like the TV program Whose Line Is It Anyway. The “contestants” have to act out silly, quirky and unusual scenes. They have to think fast on their feet and make things up as they go.

With the Theatresports shows, sometimes the actors use props, sometimes they have to sing, and frequently there is audience participation. Even the sound and lighting person has to act and react quickly to what’s happening on stage.

The Theatresports shows happen on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm. Performances run for about an hour-and-a-half including a 15-minute intermission. Tickets start at $25 for adults and $19 for students.

Stand Up at The Improv

Stand Up at The Improv is a newer series at the Improv Centre. It doesn’t involve theatresports or improvisational acting at all, or at least not so much. It’s a more traditional stand-up comedy show where a comedian stands on the stage and tells a series of jokes to entertain the audience.

Stand Up at The Improv takes place on one Sunday evening every month. The shows begin at 7:30 pm and feature local stand-up comics as well as ones from both elsewhere in Canada and abroad. Some of the comedians you’ll see are the same ones who perform at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival or at places like the House of Comedy in New Westminster.

These shows last for between around 75 minutes and an hour-and-a-half. Prices can vary depending on who’s performing. Tickets though can cost as little as $22.

See The Improv Centre‘s official website for tickets and to see what’s currently showing.

Improv Centre Theatre

The Late Show

The Late Show is an adults-only show where the improv is risqué in nature and, therefore, not suitable for persons under 18 years of age. This 60-minute long show with its racy content can spice up your Saturday night.

As the show’s name implies, this is a very late-night show and doors open at 11:15 pm. There’s a five-minute interval in between. The show runs on Saturday nights and tickets cost as low as $13.50, so it’s a reasonably priced show to attend for a night of mature subject matter fun.

Femme, Femme, Femme!

After the success of the Improv Centre’s International Women’s Day shows, the venue now offers a monthly show full of femme-forward comedy.

The shows usually run on a Friday and include some mature content suitable for ages 14 and above. They run for 90 minutes each with a 15-minute intermission. Tickets start at only $10 per person.

Date Night

Date Night is a show that’s all about relationships. It’s a hilarious twist on date night, with jokes about the dating game, love and other spicy topics. Date Night is a 90-minute show with a 15-minute intermission.

In 2023 the shows run on Wednesday nights at 7:30 pm. Tickets cost about $22 for adults. Seniors and students get a $5 discount.

Thursday Presents: Friday Jr.

Friday Jr. is a way to start your weekend early. The Thursday night shows begin at 7:30 pm and are full of fast-paced improv led by a host. Happy Hour drinks are available all night as well.

The shows run for 90 minutes with an intermission and tickets are pay what you can, starting at $10 each.

House Teams Showcase

House Teams Showcase features some of Vancouver’s best upcoming performers. The 90-minute shows include one improv team in the first half, and then a different team in the second half.

The shows run on Sundays at 7:30 pm. Tickets cost as low as $10 each.