Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical description

Welcome to long-running spontaneous musical comedy at its finest, the first long-form improvised comedy show to enjoy a full West End run and be nominated for - and win - an Olivier. The action is 100% improvised, making every performance unique.

This is Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, already a West End comedy classic thanks to a run of impressive successes dating back to 2008. 14 years at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, many of which sold out, set the scene. Two West End runs, a BBC Radio 4 series, an eight week run at the Other Palace in 2019 and popular monthly performances at the Lyric Theatre in London’s West End sealed the deal.

The show where the audience is the boss

This hilarious live phenomenon is driven by the audience. The result is a fully-realised and remarkably sophisticated musical created on the hoof, while you watch, according to the settings, genres, musical styles and show names shouted out by the audience.

The storylines are ingenious, the characters are compelling, the comedy is laugh-a-minute, and everything’s fair game. You want a show based on Frozen with ska-inspired music? No worries. How about a Stephen Sondheim classic performed TV sitcom style in a furniture shop? Not a problem. Maybe a straight 1950s drama about a love affair with a cast of animals? Basically, anything goes.

Perfect when you want to experience a one-night-only musical you’ll never see again, it’s such fun. No two performances are alike, there’s absolutely no preparation, and audiences adore it. Packed with high drama and hysterical song lyrics, madcap dance routines and unlikely plots, you’re guaranteed a great time.

Some of Britain’s funniest people

The stars themselves are well known, renowned for their improv work and successful in their own right on stage, TV and radio. They’ve been doing this since 2008, it never stops being funny, and we’re sure it’s going to be a feature of West End comedy for many years to come.

This esoteric show was created by Adam Meggido and Dylan Emery, backed by Keith Strachan, and they’re all still involved. Along with Meggido and Emery themselves, who also direct, the rotating cast includes Jonathan Ainscough, Ruth Bratt, Justin Brett, Matt Cavendish, Pippa Evans, Susan Harrison, Joshua C. Jackson, Ali James, Sean McCann, Philip Pellew, Andrew Pugsley, Lauren Shearing, Lucy Trodd, Heather Urquhart, and Sarah-Louise Young.

The producers are James Seabright, Julie Clare, Julius Green, Keith Strachan, Irving Rappaport and Ray Cooney. The costumes are by Gabriella Slade and the Lighting Designer is Tim Mascall, the Set Designer is Simon Scullion and the Musical Director is Duncan Walsh Atkins. The Sound comes from Tom Lishman and the rotating team of musicians involves Craig Apps, Alex Atty, Christopher Ash, Jordan Clarke, Pete Furniss, Nathan Gregory, Calie Hough, Chloe Potter, Duncan Walsh Atkins and Andrew Woolf. The Production Manager is Paul Hennessy and the Lighting Improviser is Damian Robertson.

Playing at Cambridge Theatre

32-34 Earlham Street, London, WC2H 9HU GB (venue info)

Directions

Performance Times