Showstoppers Review
Showstoppers
The Improvised Musical!
Reviewed by Veronika Royale
On Monday the 4th of February I was invited to the Elgar Room of the Royal Albert Hall, London, to see "Showstoppers– The Improvised Musical!" It is an improvised comedy, musical theatre show which involves feedback and participation of its audience.
The objective of the show is to create a musical based on suggestions from the audience. It is chaired by Dylan Emery and stars Ruth Bratt, Adam Meggido, Pippa Evans, Lucy Trodd, Philip Pellew and Oliver Senton as the core cast although it has been known to feature guest performers such as Matt Lucas.
I had first heard about the show as part of the Edinburgh Festival and was excited to hear that it is now showing in arms reach at the Royal Albert Hall.
Firstly it started off with the cast running through the audience onto the stage whilst the phone was ringing. It was none the less than Cameron calling, as Dylan Emery was pitching him a new musical. He soon turned to the audience – his "focus group" as we were looking for a location in London where the musical could take place. The audience was fascinated and locations soon were shouted out such as the Barclays Ballroom or an Underground Council Car Park. The Barclays Ballroom became the chosen one and we learnt that today's musical was all about "money, corruption, love and betrayal". The 5 cast members were in the meantime preparing their opening scene, supported by 3 musicians. They were thinking on their feet, playing as a team and capturing the audience in a way that I have never seen before. Every so often they would be stopped by the producer (Dylan Emery) to either set them on a straight path again, or throw in some curveballs such as singing the next act in a cabaret style. I was first a bit apprehensive how a musical about money could become fun and exciting, but the cast and the audience didn't disappoint. With children named "Spartacus" and "Lady Ninja" you knew that this was not a straight faced storyline. The main character seemed to also forget his surname whilst re-introducing himself to his wife which caused a roar in the audience. However the one scene causing non-stop belly laughter was for sure the Cabaret in Siberia as well as the love song: "if love is like a USB, I can still feel the splinters in my heart" (What was probably meant was "if love is an IED – Improvised Explosive Device"). The stage was simple, the costumes and improvised tools absolutely effective. The cast alone caught you in their magic and took you into Ballrooms, underground car parks, Level 42 bar, Siberia via train, foot and boat as well as the prison.
I have not laughed this much in a very long time, and I am someone that needs to laugh at least once a day. This is an extremely fabulous show that is a complete "MUST SEE!" In fact I recommend that you go and see them every Monday as no two shows will be the same.
I would give this a 10 out of 5 – this is definitely worth 2 x 5*****
Other useful information: Parking in Prince Consort Drive is free after 6.30pm or alternatively you can reach Royal Albert Hall easily via public transport and tickets are £18. If you want to get a taste of Showstoppers, please check out BBC Radio 4's website, where the crew took part in 6 Showstoppers episodes back in 2011.
The Showstoppers return to the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday 11, 18 and 25thFebruary. To book tickets please visit www.royalalberthall.com or call 020 7589 8212.
Rating: 5/5 
