Oxford Comedy Deathmatch (OCD) are a 12-strong comedy collective, who promise those who come to their shows only two things: first, that they will try their hardest to make them laugh — and laugh a lot — and, second, that everything they do will be completely and totally improvised, with no hint of a script or cue sheet.

This is a style of performance similar to Paul Merton’s travelling road show, the Improv Chums and rising stars the Noise Next Door, in that it consists of the performers beginning sketches by setting out basic scenarios, and then turning the addition of every detail over to suggestions from the audience. This means sketches can be set anywhere and the performers have to crowbar in the silliest and most bizarre of ideas, from which they somehow seem to manage to construct a brilliantly funny sketch.

This the OCD will certainly do when they take to the stage at the Isis Farmhouse Pub tonight. The show will be held, OCD hope, in the pub’s grounds on an outdoor stage, but with the changeable summer weather there is a back-up plan, in the form of the nearby barn.

The show starts at 7.15pm, but if you get there early enough at 5.30pm then you will get the chance to take part in a free improv comedy workshop put on by OCD. No experience is required to take part — just bring your sense of humour and be prepared to think on your feet. It’s harder than it looks.

Tickets for the show are £3, with £1 of that going to Cancer Research. You can buy tickets from www. oxfordcomedydeathmatch.com and they will cost you £2. If you’re unable to make tonight’s show then the troupe perform once a month at the Folly Bridge Inn. For details of dates there and for more information about Oxford Comedy Deathmatch go to the website as above.