Draft:Shoot From The Hip (Improv Comedy)
| Submission declined on 2 April 2025 by CF-501 Falcon (talk). This submission is not adequately supported by reliable sources. Reliable sources are required so that information can be verified. If you need help with referencing, please see Referencing for beginners and Citing sources.
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
|  |
Comment: You have one source. IMDb and YouTube do not meet our requirements. CF-501 Falcon (talk · contribs) 16:23, 2 April 2025 (UTC)
| Shoot from the Hip | |
|---|---|
| Medium | Improvisation |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Website | shootimpro |
Shoot from the Hip is a London-based improvisation comedy group founded in 2009. The group specializes in long-form and short-form improvisation, performing regularly at venues across London including the Underbelly Boulevard Soho, Clapham Grand and The Bill Murray
History
[edit]Shoot from the Hip was established in 2009 by four performers who met at Royal Holloway, University of London. Thomas Woodman Hodgson-Mayo, Samuel Thomas Holmes (performing as Sam Russell), and Luke Manning initially met while studying together and joined the university's drama society, Royal Holloway Players. Alexander Jeremy (AJ) arrived at the university two years after the others. Following the graduation of Sam, Tom, and Luke in 2009, they decided to form their own improvisation comedy group along with AJ, rather than continuing with the university drama society.
The group began performing at small venues in East London before establishing regular shows at more prominent comedy venues. By 2011, they had secured a regular performance slot at Top Secret Comedy Club. In 2014, Sam Russell expanded into stand-up comedy and became a regular performer at Angel Comedy.
Over the years, the group has developed their signature two-part show format, combining short-form improvisation games in the first half with a fully improvised play in the second half. Their performances gradually expanded from university venues to established comedy clubs across London, including Underbelly Boulevard in Soho, and The Bill Murray comedy club. All four original members remain active with the group, making Shoot from the Hip one of the longest-running improvisation troupes in London with the same consistent lineup.
Format
[edit]Shoot from the Hip performances are typically structured in two halves with a total running time of approximately two hours. The first half consists of short-form improvisation games and scene work (similar to formats seen in Whose Line Is It Anyway?), where performers create characters and comedic situations based on audience suggestions. The second half features a fully improvised play or long-form narrative. All performances are created entirely in the moment without scripts or pre-planned material.[1]
Notable performances
[edit]Shoot from the Hip has appeared at several major UK comedy festivals, including:
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe (2023, 2024)
Current members
[edit]Thomas Woodman Hodgson-Mayo (born July 10th, 1989) – Joined the group in its founding year. Known for his Shakespearean-influenced monologues and stagecraft.
Samuel Thomas Holmes (born July 21st, 1989) – Better known by his stage name Sam Russell (his mother's maiden name) or simply Sam. Co-founded Shoot from the Hip and began performing at Top Secret Comedy Club in November 2011. Also works as a standup comedian, [2] radio producer,[3] and writer. Known for his confident performance style, ability to create accents, quick thinking. Son of actress Catherine Russell and film producer Richard Holmes.
Luke Christopher Manning (born October 23rd, 1989) – Actor and improviser. Also plays bass in the London-based rock band The Bandits. Has appeared on television, including as Mike in the "Hang the DJ" episode of Black Mirror..[4] Previously performed as part of the sketch comedy duo "In Cahoots" with Paul G. Raymond.[5] Currently resides in Barcelona, Spain.
Alexander Thomas Jeremy (born November 4th, 1991) – More commonly known as AJ. Also works as a filmmaker and handles social media and editing for the group. His film productions include "Consecration of a Perpetual Virgin".[6].
References
[edit]- ^ "Shoot from the Hip: HUGE (Full comedy special)". YouTube. 25 November 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ "Sam Russell @ Comedy Store- King Gong". YouTube. 2 December 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ "Wing It - BBC Radio 4". BBC. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ "Black Mirror: Hang the DJ (2017) - Luke Manning as Mike". IMDb. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ "In Cahoots Comedy". YouTube. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ "Consecration of a Perpetual Virgin". YouTube. 28 March 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.