Paul Merton's Impro Chums, Pleasance, Edinburgh Fringe

If you remember the TV programme 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' you'll already know the format of this show.  Short sketches, improvised by a group of performers and based on suggestions from the audience.  Some of these came from bits of paper we'd completed in the queue, others were shout-outs when requested.

Merton was joined by Richard Vranch, Suki Webster, Lee Simpson and American Mike McShame, with Vranch adding a bit of mood music from time to time.  Everything moves along at a good pace, there is a wide variety of formats to keep interest alive, and all the performers show great imagination.  They ended the hour with the lesser know Shakespeare play, Twelfth Shite, which managed to become something much more entertaining than the title suggested.

There's a fascination in watching something being created out of nothing, and the on stage chemistry that allows it to happen.  And also to occasionally watch the faces of the performers who aren't involved at a given moment, to see which lines make them laugh, which is a good indicator that it's something they haven't heard before or at least not in that context.  Simpson stood out on the day as the best of the (excellent) bunch with some lovely little characterisations and general silliness.

A worthwhile hour.

Paul Merton's Impro Chums is on at the Pleasance at 16.00 until the 22nd, but looks to be sold out.