Home›Comedy & stand up courses›Stand up comedy›Comedy MCing and Hosting Comedy MCing and Hosting BOOK NOW DETAILS BOOKING & TIMETABLE VENUES TUTORS Whether it's a comedy night, sketch show, or improvisation jam, the evening begins and ends with the host. It's a make-or-break role, and our Comedy MCing and Hosting course will teach you to engage and guide the audience to create an unforgettable and high-energy experience. In this course, you’ll work with a professional comedian to master the skills that make your MCing the heart of an event. You’ll learn how to set the tone, prime the audience for laughter, build rapport and keep the energy flowing. Help acts and speakers shine by warming up the room and bringing your own material to spark an electrifying atmosphere from start to finish. You’ll leave with a toolkit of practical techniques you can apply to a variety of events, creating an engaging stage presence. Taking part in hands-on exercises and activities with a friendly and supportive group, this course will help you achieve the confidence to take control of the floor and keep your audience hooked. WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS COURSE Command the room, engage your audience and become the confident presence that brings life to events. Build confidence speaking, hosting and performing in front of an audience Learn how to create energy, warmth and connection in the room Develop the skills to guide an event smoothly from start to finish Gain practical tools for comedy nights, charity events, weddings, conferences and live entertainment Strengthen your ability to improvise and respond to the unexpected Explore how to build rapport with different audiences Work with an industry professional in a supportive training environment Develop a stronger stage presence for hosting, comedy and live performance Room Control Learn how to take control of the space, set the tone and guide the audience through a live event with confidence. Audience Rapport Develop techniques for building warmth, connection and trust with different types of audiences. Event Structure Understand how to shape the flow of an event, including openings, links, transitions and closing moments. Comedy Hosting Explore the skills needed to host comedy nights, introduce acts and keep the energy of the room alive. Improvisation Skills Build confidence thinking on your feet, responding to unexpected moments and keeping the event moving. Microphone Technique Practise using a microphone with clarity and confidence, supporting your voice, presence and delivery. Stage Presence Develop your physical and vocal presence so you feel more grounded, engaging and in control on stage. Professional Hosting Learn how hosting skills can be applied across comedy nights, weddings, charity events, conferences and live music evenings. Industry Guidance Work with an industry professional and gain practical insight into what makes a strong, reliable and engaging host. Classes Starting Soon Date Day Time (BST) Duration Tutor Venue Price Booking 26 Sep 2026 Sat 10:30-17:00 1 day Kate Smurthwaite City Academy, Farringdon £135.00 Book Now 28 Nov 2026 Sat 10:30-17:00 1 day Kate Smurthwaite City Academy, Farringdon £135.00 Book Now 26 Sep 26 Sep 2026 £135.00 Day:Sat Time:10:30-17:00 Duration:1 day Tutor: Kate Smurthwaite Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE 28 Nov 28 Nov 2026 £135.00 Day:Sat Time:10:30-17:00 Duration:1 day Tutor: Kate Smurthwaite Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE View All Classes × Select your Entry Level: -Select- Leader Follower Book Now Close Meet your course 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. READ MORE USEFUL INFORMATION Do I need any previous hosting or comedy experience? Not at all, this course is open to complete beginners and to those with some stage experience who want to improve their skills. Will I get a chance to practise hosting? Yes, the day includes plenty of practical exercises and live run-throughs with constructive feedback. Is this course useful for corporate events? Absolutely, the skills you’ll learn can be applied to conferences, networking events, product launches, and more. What if I get nervous speaking in public? That’s exactly why we’re here – the course is designed to help you conquer stage nerves in a supportive environment. Many of our students also explore our other communication and performance courses. Public Speaking – Build confidence, clarity, and authority when addressing any audience. Presence and Impact – Develop gravitas and influence to make a lasting impression. Storytelling – Harness the power of narrative to inspire, persuade, and engage. Want to learn more? Hosting is just one part of becoming a confident live performer. Explore our stand-up comedy, improvisation and communication courses to strengthen your performance skills, develop your unique style and command any stage. Stand Up Comedy – Beginners with Showcase Improvisation Classes – Level 1 Debut Theatre Company Browse Courses You can filter Courses by month and tutor Month All Months Tutor All Tutors Kate Smurthwaite Date Day Time (BST) Duration Tutor Venue Price Booking 26 Sep 2026 Sat 10:30-17:00 1 day Kate Smurthwaite City Academy, Farringdon £135.00 Book Now 28 Nov 2026 Sat 10:30-17:00 1 day Kate Smurthwaite City Academy, Farringdon £135.00 Book Now 26 Sep 26 Sep 2026 £135.00 Day:Sat Time:10:30-17:00 Duration:1 day Tutor: Kate Smurthwaite Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE 28 Nov 28 Nov 2026 £135.00 Day:Sat Time:10:30-17:00 Duration:1 day Tutor: Kate Smurthwaite Venue: City Academy, Farringdon BOOK NOW GIFT THIS COURSE × Select your Entry Level: -Select- Leader Follower Book Now Close ADD ME TO THE WAITING LIST If you'd like to be added to the waiting list for 'Comedy MCing and Hosting' fill in the form below and we will contact you if a space becomes available. First Name * Last Name * Email * Phone Number * 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 places on the same 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) City Academy, Farringdon Closest Station: Farringdon Closest Bus Stop: Hatton Garden View Details Get Directions 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. Kate Smurthwaite View Profile
