Royal & Derngate Northampton – Wednesday 26th February 2025
Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh
5*****
Imaginative, impressive and infectiously funny, Show Stopper the Musical is a completely improvised musical theatre show. Created from audience suggestions for musical genres, setting, themes and title, the cast and live band are tasked with composing music, songs and a storyline on the spot. Extremely talented and wonderfully watchable, the camaraderie and the levels of trust and skill needed to pull off a two-hour unscripted and unrehearsed show is mind-blowing and boy oh boy did they pull it off.
From the moment a phone rings on the stage, we are gripped. Tonight’s show is about a cult and is called ‘See You Last Tuesday (CULT)’, all suggested from the audience. Our performers are Adam Meggido, who plays a cult member, a scientist, a concerned father, and a cow. Ali James plays a cult member, a scorned wife, and a cow. Joshua C. Jackson plays a new cult member, a cow, and some enthusiastic scientific equipment. Justin Brett plays the cult leaded Rebus, and a cow. Dylan Emery narrates the show and interacts regularly with the audience ensures co-creation along the way. At one point, we were all whistling Wisconsin potatoes. In the interval, the audience are encouraged to tweet further suggestions for the second half. Everyone, including the band, worked tirelessly to create a hilarious and heartfelt performance about the murky underworld of cultism and hirsute pursuit, but by far the standout was Ruth Bratt. Her portrayal of the homeless bridge dweller turned cult believer and Karen was utter perfection! Bratt’s quick wit and snappy quips garden laugh after laugh.
The songs are brilliant. How they can be composed in a heartbeat is baffling. We had tunes in the style of a Hamilton rap, a Book of Mormon ditty, a Rocky Horror Show stomp and cows strutting their stuff Bob Fosse style. Most impressive is the melodies and musicality. The vocal harmonies are beautiful, and the songs stay with you after the show.
The finale was gasp worthy, telenovella style, coming together with a satisfying conclusion and a very happy and hilarious ending.
Its mind boggling to think that every performance of Show Stoppers the Improvised Musical produces a brand-new, never seen before and never to be seen again musical comedy. These incredible performers are guaranteed to wow as they dazzle you with drama, dance and delightful ditties. It all starts with a suggestion, imagination and talent from The Show Stoppers will take it from there…