The Showstoppers’ Kids Show at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre Review

Reviewed by Cate Norris

When I discovered that The Showstoppers’ Kids Show is an improvised show, I had some concerns, but when I realised that it was in fact the kids from the audience that control the show I was completely baffled. Would the entire show be improvised? Would it be any good? How could it work? These were just some of the many questions that I had about the show so I knew that I had to see for myself how this would unfold.

The Showstoppers use cardboard boxes which are drawn on to become whichever prop is needed throughout the show. Ideas are taken from the kids on the setting, characters and major events in the story. In the past this has included, taking the Gruffalo to Hogwarts, defeating an evil banana and tap-dancing with trolls, today however, the story was named (by the children of course) ‘Pepper Pig’ so naturally featured pandas, a whale and SpongeBob Square-pants!

Jim the President Panda, did a great job running his Panda village, ensuring that bamboo stock was plentiful, until one day there was a visit from Gladys the whale, who decided that she was going to take over the village, as she wanted to be the only black and white species. The pandas managed to seek revenge and blew Gladys up, they then got on with their lives in their panda village. Before long, SpongeBob Square-pants, a friend of Gladys’ visited the village and destroyed it using his incredible Kung foo. President panda Jim retaliated by causing an almighty earthquake which killed all of the sea creatures and the pandas lived happily ever after.

The showstoppers were really quite incredible and managed to keep an impressive pace to the show and incorporated songs which amazingly went with the theme. They were so good that I could hardly believe that the show was improvised. I would certainly recommend this show, who knows where the next adventure will take you!

Rating: 4/5

For other shows at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre visit www.lichfieldgarrick.com or call the box office on 01543 412121.

Lichfield Garrick Theatre, Castle Dyke, Lichfield, WS13 6HR | 01543 412121

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