Sand Improv

An unscripted improv comedy by the Chicago trio Sand, made up of Mike Brunlieb, Thomas Kelly and Tim Joyce, staged at Monkey Barrel Comedy in Edinburgh. It is a show for mature audiences.

Sand Improv is a comedy show built entirely on improvisation. Mike Brunlieb and Thomas Kelly develop characters over a long stretch of performance, letting them shift in unexpected directions as the evening unfolds. Tim Joyce joins them as a multi-instrumental musician, adding a musical layer to the material.

The group draws its inspiration from documentary film, traditional fairy tales and professional wrestling. Their work moves from comic improvisation into performance art, blending reality with the surreal. Much of the humour sits alongside a darker streak, handled with a sense of empathy, so the mood can change quickly from laughter to something more heartfelt.

The show runs for an hour, and every ticket includes a seat. It is entirely unscripted and aimed at mature audiences, with strong language, adult themes and exaggerated depictions of sexual content and violence. Monkey Barrel Comedy, the Edinburgh venue hosting this performance, presents comedy and shows.