Comedy

Having now seen 'Showstopper!' twice, I can testify that not only is each performance achingly funny, it’s a genuinely new full-length musical every time.
 
The hugely talented team make improvisation look easy, astounding the large audience in George Square 4. They are orchestrated  by an on-stage director, the smooth Dylan Emery, who must whip up a last minute musical for a capricious producer ‘Cameron’ on the end of the phone line.

Emery’s introductory skit may seem like a gimmick but he is fundamental to the show’s success, the pulsating heart that beats life into the scenes by cutting in expertly to introduce new twists, rewind, or move the action forward. This leaves the rest of the group to work their magic.

The audience suggest song styles, a location, theme and title for the musical. On this occasion we saw 'Holy Crap! The Musical', set in the Garden of Eden with sections in the style of 'Wicked', 'The King and I', 'Sesame Street', Noel Coward, Tarentino and Brecht.

The cast are all consummate actors, singers and comedians and, most importantly, equally enthusiastic as a principal, chorus member or even a prop. Ruth Bratt exemplified this by being side-splitting as both an infectiously teasing Lucifer and a wave lapping against a rock. 

The songs and quips they devise are excellent in themselves, but the real joy is seeing them rise to ludicrous challenges with enough guts to fill an offal bag. The highlights are threatened mutinies against the director, and the performers testing each other's imagination with a leading question like “Tell us why?” which ususally leads to a spontanious song and dance. 

Due to its references, the experience is especially gratifying for musical theatre and film buffs, but can rightfully be listed in the comedy section as it is hilarious. The audience trickle away from the evening satisfied that they have taken part in top-class in creativity in action. Worth seeing again and again.

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical is at Musical Theatre @ George Square until 30 August, 22:50.