Review: Improv Allstars Up Late
Posted on: Mon 18 Feb 2019
By David Cavanagh
Three improv performers from the U.K. present a show using songs, movie genres and puns, all taken from and built around suggestions from the audience; animals, relationships, fruit; the list goes on. These three performers’ ability to sustain their rapid fire responses to unplanned audience input was flawless. It was also very funny. And, as one of the performers announced, this is a show that has never been seen before and will never be seen again. There was also a very cleverly crafted song, sung at the embarrassed expense of a young couple from the audience and based upon the very scant personal information supplied by them. Hint! Don’t sit in the front row. This song was accompanied by Tom GK on keys, whose contribution was, well, brief but beautifully formed.
Sketches included the interaction between an Uber driver and passenger, played as an action movie, a silent movie and a Hammer horror movie, and an interplay where one of the trio could only use information taken from an audience member’s mobile phone, while the others reacted and responded appropriately. Very clever (and very brave of the audience member to hand over his phone).
This production is definitely worth a look, and as I mentioned earlier, you are never going to see the same show twice. The venue is easily accessible and very comfortable, particularly on a very warm evening.
Improv Allstars Up Late runs in the Exhibition Hall at the National Wine Centre on the corner of North Terrace and Hackney Road until the 22nd of February. Check your Fringe guide for details.
