Hilarious improvisation by Paul Merton and friends.

Paul Merton’s Impro Chums

(2006)
Comedy Store Players
Pleasance Courtyard, 8-13, 15,17-20 August 5pm (1 hour)

Paul Merton, Lee Simpson, Suki Webster, Richard Vranch and Jim Sweeney improvise for an hour using suggestions from the audience.

It would be difficult for any comedy show starring Paul Merton not to get five stars, even more so when he is accompanied by such a group of quick thinking performers from the Comedy Store Players.

At the beginning of the show the audience is asked to suggest some household objects and a character (in this case a toilet brush, washing machine and Scooby Doo). One cast member has to begin a story involving these and the story is passed randomly and arbitrarily to one of the others. Anybody hesitating or repeating themselves is eliminated until only one is left.

After this, Paul Merton leaves the room while the audience decides on an obscure occupation, which he has to guess when he returns (an assassin from Carlisle who is going to assassinate a mouse for identity theft!). Needless to say, with the help of his friends, he manages it easily but watching him get there is hilarious.

The show carries on in a similar vein for an hour, with barely a pause for breath. It ends with a variation on a Shakespeare play, again chosen by the audience. Those used so far include Thirteenth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Wet Dream, Omelette, A Whinger’s Tale, Romeo & Julien and The Vagrant Of Venice. Try to think of one that will stump the panel (you won’t). Clever and very funny.

[Alan Chorley]

show info

Paul Merton’s Impro Chums
Comedy Store Players

Director:
Paul Merton

Theatre:
Pleasance
Pleasance Courtyard, 8-13, 15,17-20 August 5pm (1 hour)



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