Our classes

Comedy MCing and Hosting

Comedy MCing and Hosting

The host of an event, whether a comedy show, a charity evening or a corporate or private function can make or break the success of the evening. 

In this one-day intensive you will learn all the skills you need to take that job on and make it your own. Learn how create the right atmosphere for your event and for the acts and speakers you’re introducing.  

Take inspiration from how professional hosts chat with the audience and how they effortlessly make it hilariously funny as they go along. You’ll learn the tricks and techniques to make spontaneous jokes with guests, naturally building a friendly rapport to build trust and keep everything running smoothly. 

You’ll learn skills that can be applied at any event from a business or academic conference to an open mic music night or even a wedding.

Course Content

On this course, you will:

  • Develop stage confidence to hold the attention of the crowd.
  • Learn how to set the right tone for an event.
  • Banter with the audience and get everyone laughing along.
  • Be spontaneous onstage as an event develops.
  • Create the right atmosphere for all types of acts to perform.
  • Take away transferable skills that can help everywhere from business meetings to weddings.

Level

Beginners welcome.

Equipment

A notebook and pen.

MEET KATE

Your tutor, Kate Smurthwaite, worked as the resident MC at Soho Comedy Club for over a decade and has a reputation as one of the most respected MCs on the comedy circuit. 

She is a professional comedian who has taken ten solo shows to the Edinburgh Fringe and toured at venues around the country. In 2013 she won a Three Weeks Editor’s Choice Award and was lauded as one of the ten best things about the Edinburgh festival. 

CLASSES STARTING SOON

DATE DAY TIME (BST) DURATION TUTOR VENUE PRICE BOOKING
3 May 2025 Sat 10:30-17:00 1 day Kate Smurthwaite City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £129.00
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26 Jul 2025 Sat 10:30-17:00 1 day Kate Smurthwaite City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £129.00
Book Now
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Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course
1 Nov 2025 Sat 10:30-17:00 1 day Kate Smurthwaite City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £129.00
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course
DATE DAY TIME (BST) DURATION TUTOR VENUE PRICE BOOKING
3 May 2025 Sat 10:30-17:00 1 day Kate Smurthwaite City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £129.00
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course
26 Jul 2025 Sat 10:30-17:00 1 day Kate Smurthwaite City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £129.00
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course
1 Nov 2025 Sat 10:30-17:00 1 day Kate Smurthwaite City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £129.00
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course

PAYMENT OPTIONS

You are welcome to join the course up to the second class.

ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS

Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.

Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833 .

CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS

Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG.

If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.

INDUSTRY TUTORS

City Academy tutors are experienced artists and performers that work in the industry. If your tutor's availability changes at short notice, our team will arrange for a suitable replacement and notify you in advance.

CANCELLATIONS POLICY

We offer a full refund or full credit of your original course if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.

We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.

(For more information please see our terms and conditions)

DATE DAY TIME (BST) DURATION TUTOR VENUE PRICE BOOKING
3 May 2025 Sat 10:30-17:00 1 day Kate Smurthwaite City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £129.00
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course
26 Jul 2025 Sat 10:30-17:00 1 day Kate Smurthwaite City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £129.00
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course
1 Nov 2025 Sat 10:30-17:00 1 day Kate Smurthwaite City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill £129.00
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
Book Now
Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course

PAYMENT OPTIONS

You are welcome to join the course up to the second class.

ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS

Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.

Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833 .

CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS

Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG.

If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.

INDUSTRY TUTORS

City Academy tutors are experienced artists and performers that work in the industry. If your tutor's availability changes at short notice, our team will arrange for a suitable replacement and notify you in advance.

CANCELLATIONS POLICY

We offer a full refund or full credit of your original course if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.

We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.

(For more information please see our terms and conditions)

All City Academy tutors are experienced professionals from theatre, film/TV and performance industries. So whilst they're training you they may also be rehearsing for a West End show or working on a movie. We like that and we do believe it makes a difference in class.

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