EDINBURGH 2011: BWW Reviews: SHOWSTOPPER! THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL, Gilded Balloon Teviot, August 16, 2011.

The cast laugh, make up their lines, don't know the lyrics to the songs and talk over each other. Normally this would be considered to be the height of unprofessionalism but in Showstopper it happens in every performance. Why? Because every performance is different, not just slightly, but completely, from beginning to end. 

Aside from the intro section where the audience is roped in to help the writer come up with a musical he's told his producer he has already completed, everything is improvised.

The audience choose a setting, some musicals to take inspiration from for songs and even a name and the cast are required to tell the story from beginning to end, making full use of the props, without knowing anything beforehand.

At one point in this particular performance, thanks to the audience, the cast were required to do everything backwards. One scene end to beginning, lines backwards and even a backwards kiss. This was met with rapturous applause and a lot of laughter.

This is Showstopper's fourth year at the Fringe and, with performances regularly selling out, they must be doing something right. It may not be perfect and polished but it is amusing and heartwarming and the audience leaves with a sense of satisfaction knowing they've helped to create something so unique.