Cult comedy show BATSU!, direct from Chicago and New York will now make its way to their new permanent space with a residency at Underbelly Boulevard from November 2023. After making its UK debut at the Edinburgh Fringe this year, BATSU! will open on 15th November. Tickets are on sale from 12pm today from www.underbellyboulevard.com/tickets/, with an optional Hachimaki headband and a surprise visit from the SAKE SHINOBI available.
London, are you ready? Warriors, are you ready? Long, long ago, in the Land of the Rising Sun, four Warriors used the power of laughter to capture Batsu no Akuma, the Spirit of Punishment, within a sacred gong. Now the evil spirit has once more emerged in London and the Comedy Warriors must rise again!
This eclectic game of punishment and honour makes its way from across the Atlantic, bringing a wild and unpredictable show to London audiences for the first time ever.
BATSU! fuses the Japanese Batsu game with the very best comics in the city. The original creators of the show will take to the stage in November, later handing over the mallet to brand new cast members to be announced soon.
In BATSU!, comedians compete to avoid electric shocks, paintballs, a giant chicken, and many more hilarious, jaw-dropping punishments. The bravest audience members may also volunteer to take part in some of the challenges to win honour or suffer punishment, truly making the immersive experience a perfect night out. In the end, there will be only one winner who will have the honour of striking the “Gong of Punishment.” Immerse yourself in the bacchanalian world of BATSU!, where anything can happen!
The performers of BATSU! are all members of the acclaimed comedy group Face Off Unlimited (FOU) who specialise in creating theatrical shows rooted in improvisation. During this upcoming season of BATSU!, they will expand their community of performers and improvisors with a full UK cast that will be announced soon.
BATSU! opened to the public on Monday, January 10th, 2011, and became THE thing to do on a Monday night in NYC. The show grew and grew, got better and better, and the word of BATSU! finally reached a tipping point in 2014 with ever-growing sold-out crowds in NYC and Chicago. Produced, created, and globally launched by members of BATSU! Moon LLC, this one-of-a-kind experience now takes over the heart of Soho at Underbelly Boulevard.
Artistic Director Jay Painter says, "It’s an honor to be a part of the inaugural season of the Underbelly Boulevard. We were blown away by the reception we received in Edinburgh and we’re thrilled to continue collaborating with Underbelly. Is London ready for BATSU! though? We believe so!"
LISTINGS
Press night: 17th November 9.30pm
Underbelly Boulevard, 6 Walker's Ct, London W1F 0BT
November – January 2023
November: 15th, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th
December: 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
January: 12th, 26th
