A comedy troupe that started life in the University of Winchester will be returning to the city to perform.

Biscuit Barrel, which was formed in 2016, has announced it will be putting on a special one-off show in September.

The troupe, known for their rapid-fire sketch comedy, will be performing an extended version of their 2024 Edinburgh Fringe production, the 69-Sketch Show, at the Theatre Royal on September 25.

The Biscuit Barrel team is made up of university alumni James Horscroft, Daryl Reader and Capriella Monique, as well as Harry Brown and Lily Maryon.

The troupe has battled through personnel changes and the damage done to live entertainment by covid-19, steadily building a reputation on the comedy circuit.

Their upcoming show promises a blitz of 69 sketches in 60 minutes.

The performance will also include a question-and-answer session.

Before the Theatre Royal performance, Biscuit Barrel will be travelling to Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival where they will perform at the Gilded Balloon from July 31 to August 26.

This venue is viewed as one of the top spots of the Fringe, and will be a return visit for the troupe; their 2023 show at the same venue drew large crowds and critical acclaim.

James Horscroft founded Biscuit Barrel as part of a drama project. Speaking about the return of the troupe, he said: "I think sketch shows are due for a comeback.

"In the noughties we had Catherine Tate and Little Britain but nothing really big on telly since, whilst there's so much on the live circuit."

He went on to discuss the significant role of social media in the resurrection of sketch comedy.

"Most of the stuff you see on TikTok is basically a sketch," said Mr Horscroft.

"Anyone scrolling through YouTube or TikTok is curating their own weird sketch show."

Helen Grime, senior lecturer in drama at the University of Winchester, shared her excitement about the troupe's return: "It is fantastic that Biscuit Barrel is still going strong. We are delighted that they will be bringing their work back to Winchester at the Theatre Royal in the Autumn."

Tickets for Biscuit Barrel's one-off Winchester show are now available for purchase on the Theatre Royal Winchester website.