When someone comes along the queue for a fringe comedy gig involving improvisation, and asks you to write down some words or a phrase (no famous names), you get a good inkling of what to expect – if you didn’t already.

This is a show that has evolved from the likes of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and if you love the quick-wittedness of this sort of comedy, you will enjoy this show.

There are parameters given to the audience. Requests from the stars include an animal, a theatre style, a film style, so as not to get too broad and unpredictable, but nevertheless, each show will be utterly unique, and evidently there will be some rotation of the “chums”, who included on my visit other fringe performers, Suki Webster, Jim Sweeney and Richard Vranch, plus Neil Mullarkey and Ian Simpson, regulars from The Comedy Store Players, as is Merton.

The downside to this is that even this talented bunch cannot keep the brilliance up 100% of the time – but this is probably as close as you are likely to get with a bunch of human beings. As for the rest of the time, they are just plain funny.

A simple example of what to expect: From the written suggestions comes “ticket inspector”. Merton grabs a chair and sits in the centre of the stage. Mullarkey stands close by, looking ominous. After a few seconds, Merton turns to Mullarkey and asks “So have you got any tickets?” Simple but brilliant.

9/10.

Paul Merton and his Impro Chums are playing at The Pleasance Courtyard for most of the Fringe, and are sold out.

Fringe Programme page number;   53 

Company;   Paul Merton's Impro Chums

Venue

V  33,  Pleasance  Beyond

Dates

7th  to  30th  August  2004  [not 14, 15 or 23rd]

Times

20-00  to  21-00

Comedy 2004

Music 2004

Other 2004

Theatre 2004

Musicals 2004