Musical conjured up on the spot retains its old magic
THE crème de la crème of improv shows, where a new musical is conjured up on the spot every night based on audience suggestions, regular Fringe favourite, Showstopper!, finally enjoyed a long overdue run in London’s West End last year.
Bearing that in mind, it seemed only right to revisit it to see if it still retains the same musical magic. And boy, does it ever.
As usual, onstage director Dylan Emery takes suggestions from the audience on what particular constituent parts should go to make up the evening’s entertainment – scenario, musical styles, title. Musicals just failing to make the cut include one set during the Russian Revolution, and Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory – ‘I think you’ll find that’s been done mate,’ grins Emery.
Instead, three-piece band at the ready, and the hugely talented sixstrong cast primed, it was finally time for curtain up on What Ghosts Around, Comes Around, a song and dance, comedy mystery thriller, set around a funfair ghost train, conjured up with only the barest smattering of props. And what a hoot it turned out to be.
There are comedians headlining Edinburgh with shows that aren’t anywhere near as funny as this onthe-hoof spoof was.
With Emery mischievously pausing the action whenever he sees fit to introduce the audience’s suggestions, the gallery of characters is swiftly established – ghost train owners, Bethany and Marion whose parents mysteriously disappeared on Ealing Common leaving only a caravan hubcap and a Pizza Express voucher behind; Jessica, a posh gap year student; Max the janitor, and two down-on-their-luck thespians paid to scare the children.
The whole kit and caboodle soon up and running, the convoluted plot proves rich comedic pickings for the cast, who are an absolute joy throughout. Highlights included a rib tickling Gilbert and Sullivan pastiche, a dream sequence recap of events, and a quick fire etymological explanation for the mispronounced line, ‘One swell foop’.
A high-wire act of top notch improv dexterity, consummately performed at breakneck speed, the show delivers on every level. A wonderful, show-stopping, treat.
Pleasance Courtyard, until tomorrow