Showstopper! The Improvised Musical.

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I’ll start by saying right off the bat; I cannot say enough good things about this show. If you’re looking for a wishy washy review, this is not it. It was my second time seeing this show (never the same show twice, of course!), and it’s the one production that I would encourage almost every person I know to go and see at least once. And I’d be thrilled at the chance to go again with them.

Showstopper is fall-off-your-seat-laughing, flailing limbs-akimbo funny. The cast has unbelievable talent, not only in terms of their improv skills (through which you forget the musical isn’t pre-rehearsed), but in terms of their raw musical talent. None of the cast’s voices would be out of place singing the top musical theatre roles, and their immense harmonisation skills and pitch perfect delivery on the fly cannot be faulted. I address the cast as a whole when I say these things, because they really are as one (although I was particularly pleased to see Pippa Evans who is always a delight to watch tread the boards).

Justin Brett was a true show-stealer in this particular performance as the arthritic ineffectual Butler, Horatio, although if you went back for the next performance, I’m sure you’d find you had a different show-stealer. We were treated to a murder at a dog show, set in the deep south of the USA, a mystery full of twists and turns that often came as a surprise to the cast members too.

I will never get tired of watching these true craftspeople at work, laughing through their lines at unexpected plot points, and bringing us along with them the whole way. You feel as though you’re on the stage and in the plot with them (although without the pressure of having to be quite so funny). I wish I could give it more than 5 stars.

Review by Mims Melville

You can catch Showstopper! The Improvised Musical in London on 5th July, 9th August, 13th September and 11th October. To find out more about Showstopper and to book tickets you can visit their website here.

If you liked this review you might also like the review of Public Domain, Here Come The Boys and The Money.

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