The Olivier Award Winning hit show is back at Edinburgh Festival Fringe for its fourteenth year and it’s clear to see why it is such a hit.
Showstopper lets the audience take control of the show. Meaning every single show is different. The audience get to pick the setting, song style and certain plot points. The actors and band improv the rest!
For my show the musical was set in hell, with songs in the style of Steven Sondheim, Cats, Operation Mincemeat and The Singing Kettle. An interesting mix that created a musical of torture, murder, time travel and love.
The connection between all the actors, the band and on stage director, musician and actor Dylan Emery was incredible. To be able to pull all of these songs and plotlines together in seconds and then round it all out to conclude the story within just 70 minutes is such a skill and incredibly impressive to witness.
Although everything is improvised then and there the vocals and acting were not forgotten. Just as we neared the end of the story, Justin Brett stole the show with his clear and breathtaking vocals.
A particularly impressive moment was a song about hellish punishment in the style of The Singing Kettle. This strange idea created a wonderfully funny comedic song with excellent harmonies. Not something you would ever think possible!
In a few of the numbers the story felt stuck like the actors were singing about the same thing repeatedly, making the laughs die down and slightly losing the audience for a couple of minutes.
Apart from that, this show was so exciting and hilarious to watch, it’s a must see this Fringe. The unknown of improv and the talent of this cast presents the perfect pairing for a sell out show!
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical is on at Pleasance Courtyard – The Grand. 21:10. 2nd-14th 16th-27th.
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=%22Showstopper!%20The%20Improvised%20Musical%22
By Esmé Violet Anderson
