Joyful, Impressive and So Much Fun!”
The premise is simple, a producer asks the audience to come up with an idea for a brand new musical. Said musical is then improvised before our very eyes. The show we saw was a hilarious and maddeningly new musical, Emergency Exit!, all about the world of Ryanair.
This show would not be as electric as it is without its superb cast. Each actor thrives in this environment, and snowballs a baffling story as far as it can go. They create a wacky and wonderful rotation of characters including: Michael O’Leary himself, his new hire/fiance/enthusiastic hostess, an alcoholic war veteran pilot who was incredibly old and the villainous mastermind behind the extra fares, Tara. What made the experience special was that each character felt lived in, they did not just present a sketch of a person, they created wonderful, rounded characters. Each actor brings a level of comedic skill to their role, culminating in an often hilarious show. A special mention must be given to the character Tara, who absolutely stole the show with her hilariously pantomimish villainy.
This is a wonderful show, and it is clearly skillfully developed by all those involved. This troupe of improvisers are incredibly talented, able to concoct a world in mere seconds. They are also incredible singers, finding harmonies as the songs progress and working together to sound amazing. They can operate in any musical style too. Throughout the show, the compere stops them to add a curveball, often in the form of a song styled after a musical of the audience’s choosing. No one is off put by this challenge, each actor embraces the challenge to great success, and they clearly have fun while doing it. These elements mix together to create a thrilling show.
This is backed up further by the technical side of the production. The musicians on stage are nothing short of perfect. They work magnificently in sync, never playing a wrong note or losing their rhythm. The very fact they are creating these songs on the spot is impressive enough, but the skill they do it with is mind boggling. The sound and lighting is also superb, never missing a moment to further enhance the show.
It is no wonder that this production has returned year after year to the fringe. It is a masterclass in Improv that is led by a group of incredible talents. Even when a minor incident stopped the show, these performers were able to instantly recapture the energy and magic of the piece, which is a massive talent in itself. I can’t wait for it to return next year.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/showstopper-the-improvised-musical
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: Grand at Pleasance Courtyard
Dates: 5th – 30th August (Not 18th)
Time: 17.20
Ticket prices: £25.00/ concessions £22.00
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com
Suitable for 12+ (Guideline)