Paul Merton’s Impro Chums is one of those shows that does exactly what it says on the tin. Merton, together with a troupe of comedy friends (including US comedian Mike McShane), spend an hour riffing off audience suggestions for props, locations, occupations etc, creating some very funny and clever off-the-cuff sketches as a result.
Playing to a packed house at the Pleasance, Merton and crew entertain throughout, with some genuinely funny moments of ad-libbing and corpsing caused by ever-more bizarre suggestions from the crowd (“be the man who puts wooden pips in raspberry jam using a bicycle”…?!).
It’s obvious – and forgivable – that some of the longer routines are pre-scripted and rehearsed, with some of the suggestions slotted in to intentionally left blank points in the routine, but ultimately this is an hour of good – and mostly clean – fun.
Paul Merton’s Impro Chums runs at The Pleasance until 29th August (not 18th). Many shows sold out. Various from £11.50
This has always been a good show – glad it didn't disappoint.