From page to stage – and everything in between
The latest news, reviews and features on theatre, books, travel, culture and life
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical has been a rip-roaring success since 2008 with two West End runs, an Olivier award, a BBC Radio 4 series and 12 sell-out years at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Now The Showstoppers’ are turning their improv talents to entertain kids during lockdown with a series of ‘Online Storytime’ adventures. Armed with dozens... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, Olivier award-winning superstar Jenna Russell became the latest West End star to challenge The Showstoppers to compose a musical theatre song in just 24 hours. Following Ramin Karimloo, Elaine Paige and Derren Brown, Jenna, who was due to star with Imelda Staunton and Andy Nyman in ‘Hello, Dolly!’ in the West End this summer,... Continue Reading →
Staged as a tribute to this year’s cancelled Eurovision Song Contest, Olivier Award-winning musical comedy improvisers The Showstoppers raised £7,400 on Friday evening for the Care Workers’ Charity by delivering their very own Alternative Eurovision Song Contest. Featuring brand new songs parodying familiar Eurovision genres, The Showstoppers recreateed the OTT production values, high camp, and... Continue Reading →
The month of May usually sees people in Europe (and, more recently, Australia) come together to celebrate one of the ‘quirkier’ nights in the music calendar: the Eurovision Song Contest. However as a result of the coronavirus outbreak this year’s event – due to be held in the Netherlands – has been cancelled; the first... Continue Reading →
West End and Broadway star Elaine Paige today launches the 24-Hour Song Challenge by challenging The Showstoppers to compose her a musical theatre song in just 24 hours. At 11am via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, Elaine threw down the gauntlet for the Olivier Award-winning improvisers to compose a song about having to stay isolated at... Continue Reading →
It’s often said that laughter is the best medicine and, Hoopla, the UK’s first improv theatre, are injecting comedy into the current crisis with online improv classes for those on lockdown. Following the cancellation of their normal workshops and the delay to their annual improv festival, the company have created online drop-in sessions, bringing improvisation... Continue Reading →
Lee Simpson and Phelim McDermott, Improbable's Artistic Directors, have been at the forefront of the unfolding story of improvisation since the mid 1980s, leading impro into new forms, widening its scope and taking it to places it wouldn’t otherwise have gone; everywhere from scrappy rooms above pubs to grand operatic stages. They have used improvisation... Continue Reading →
A new batch of Fringe favourites, including Paul Merton, NewsRevue and Wizard Presents, are now on-sale as they get ready to take to Pleasance’s stages this summer. From the biggest names to the most exciting newcomers, Pleasance’s programmes reflects the diversity and breadth of the Fringe – as highlighted in their recently announced Development Fund... Continue Reading →
While he may be best-known for appearing in hit American TV shows Law and Order and Curb Your Enthusiasm, Jason Kravits has many strings to his bow and has also carved out a successful career on stage and in comedy. The Broadway veteran combines music and mayhem as he returns to London with his spoof... Continue Reading →
American TV regular and Broadway veteran Jason Kravits is to return to Crazy Coqs for a star-studded, week-long residency, of his critically acclaimed, jaw-dropping, completely improvised solo evening of music and comedy, ‘Off The Top’ Special guest stars include Rachel Tucker, Sarah-Louise Young, Josie Lawrence, Joe Stilgoe, Ruth Bratt, George Ikediashi (Le Gateau Chocolat) and... Continue Reading →
