To describe Showtopper! as unbelievable is to do so in the most literal sense – I cannot believe how this show is possible. Improvised comedy in itself is a challenging task, but to do so in the form of a musical is something else entirely. Showstopper! begins with The Writer, who is on a deadline to submit his new musical within the hour; he asks the audience for a subject for the show, as well as real-life musicals to draw inspiration for. When I saw it, we landed on a musical about Big Tesco (to the delight of the audience and to The Writer’s bemusement) that would contain songs in the styles of Chicago, Rent, The Greatest Showman and West Side Story. The hour that unfurled was the most mind-blowing thing I have seen all Fringe.
The ability of the cast to think on the spot and offer us a full-blown musical about a UK supermarket chain is truly awe-inspiring. The entirely improvised songs were an absolute riot, complete with group choreography thought up on the spot. A true highlight for me was Pippa Evans’ Chicago-inspired number about her ex-love affair that took place at Tesco; it had us all in fits of laughter, but I was also sat with my mouth agape at the absolute storm of her voice and her ability to craft such a brilliant song without preparation. At so many points in the show I would have believed it was fully rehearsed if I hadn’t literally witnessed the prompts being given by the audience. Not only was “Clean Up on Aisle 7” (amusingly titled by an audience member) hilarious and engaging, but it also even managed to be bizarrely touching at times, with a nice range of ballads and more upbeat numbers.
Having The Writer on hand to step in when the show creeps to a moment of uncertainty for the actors is a clever and necessary component. There were no jarring moments of hesitation that can derail the efficacy of improv, with the guiding hand of The Writer steering the musical in the right direction, or introducing a song inspired by one of the musicals selected at the start. Sean McCann, who played The Writer in the show I saw, cleverly anticipated when to chime in. I was particularly amused when Ruth Bratt’s character began to recall her time working at Lidl and he grabbed the opportunity to have the cast sing a number in the style of West Side Story.
Truly, I do not know how the company of Showstopper! do it. Of course, none of it would be possible without the outrageous talent of the band, who anticipate the next move of the performers flawlessly and brilliantly. Their accompaniments were something to behold and played as important a role as the actors themselves.
It is easy to see why Showstopper! has an Olivier Award and a decade’s worth of sold-out Fringe runs. The desire to return is strong; the tantalising prospect of seeing another brand new, one-night-only musical is simply irresistible. Once you’ve seen this dazzling show, you’ll be back again and again and again.
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical is on at Pleasance Courtyard at 9:10pm until 27 August. Tickets available here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/showstopper-the-improvised-musical
Image by Ray Burmiston provided to The Student as press material.