Improvisation is the flared trousers of comedy. It goes in and out of fashion but never completely goes away. The Comedy Store Players was not the first impro group in the world, but it was the first on in the UK, starting off 30 years ago this week. Early members included Dave Cohen, who currently writes for Not Going Out and someone called Mike Myers. Don’t know what happened to him. Paul Merton still turns up regularly for their Sunday gigs and it has been estimated that over three decades the troupe, currently including veterans Andy Smart, Richard Vranch, Lee Simpson and Josie Lawrence, has played to over a million fans. The ensemble is not doing anything special for their birthday – well, to plan anything in advance would go against the impro spirit wouldn’t it? But feel free to bring them cakes at their gig on Wednesday night.  Tickets here. 

While most of the attention in Edinburgh is on the Foster’s Award, other awards are also available. Celia Pacquola picked up the Amused Moose Laughter Award 2014 for her show, Let Me Know How It All Works Out. The Australian comedian has been a regular visitor to the UK in recent years and maybe this could be her breakthrough moment. Tony Law won this award in 2011 before going on to much wider recognition. Pacquola’s show is about her obsession with psychics and fortune tellers. She is smart enough to be a bit sceptical, but also partial to a bit of new age nonsense, even wearing healing crystals in her bra. Well, it doesn't do any harm to hedge your bets. She brings the show to Soho Theatre from Tuesday to Saturday. Tickets here.

Oh, and in case you hadn't heard, it's Halloween this Friday. The Invisible Dot Club in Kings Cross is marking the occasion with its second annual 'Scary Halloween Show', five nights of pumpkin-flavoured evenings of harrowing games, spooky prizes, and spine-chilling performances. The line-ups are as follows:

27th October: Sam Simmons, Twins Macabre, Al Lubel, BEARD, Mike Wozniak (MC)

28th October: Tim FitzHigham, Minor Delays, Luke McQueen, Daniel Simonsen, Joseph Morpurgo (MC)

29th October: Damien Slash, Kieran Hodgson, Lolly Adefope, Rob Auton, Mae Martin (MC) 

30th October: Simon Munnery, Daphne, LetLuce, Lou Sanders, Phil Wang (MC) 

31st October: Sara Pascoe, Ali Brice, Beth Vyse, Ellie White, Ben Target (MC)