Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2017
The Grand (Pleasance) – until 28 August. Reviewed By Jessica Brady
5*****
I have wanted to see Showstopper! for so long and today was the day I FINALLY got to see it and I was not disappointed in the slightest.
Showstopper! is 70 minute fully improvised musical that completely relies on the audience for the suggestions of what the show will be about. The location, musical theatre styles and title is the only information that the group of 6 actors (3 male, 3 female) are given and almost instantly are brought on stage and we are in the first musical number. Our particular show was set in a retirement home for royals and developed into a hilarious uprising of Prince Consort Phillip wanting to over through Queen Victoria from ruling the retirement home. He was encouraged to do so by a barbaric King who’s way of ruling was by killing people and building Cathedrals’. We also meet Queen Elizabeth I who ends up falling in love with the stuttering King George and the gin drinking Princess Anne. The battle field is the croquet ground but Queen Victoria is not a strong enough player and so enlists the help of Princess Anne and Queen Elizabeth I to teach her the ways!
The concept of Showstoppers is so clever and requires so much trust and creativity from its performers to make every show a success and with no chance to plan anything before they are thrust onto the stage. Each performer in this show is so highly skilled to be able to create such gripping story lines, alongside singing in harmonies and choreography on the spot for all the musical numbers. The Band who also accompany this show, improvise all the music so it adds that extra element of uncertainty where as an audience member, you have no idea where it’s going to end up but relish in the journey of finding out!
This show deserves all the success it has gained over the last few years as it has such an incredible bunch of performers who have unbelievable talent in being able to produce this quality! They all throw caution to the wind and commit to every decision that they make, no matter how bizarre or scary it may seem and it just works beautifully.
An all round outstanding, hilarious, insanely clever show that will have you wondering just how they do it! GO CATCH SHOWSTOPPER! At The Pleasance Grand 6pm for a wonderfully entertaining show!