Edinburgh Reviews

Local reviews of places, sights and attractions

  • Businesses
  • Entertainment
  • Festival
  • Food
  • Shopping
  • Travel
  • Et Al
You are here: Home / Festival / Review of Paul Merton’s Impro Chums, Fringe 2012

Review of Paul Merton’s Impro Chums, Fringe 2012

August 17, 2012 by Andrew Girdwood 1 Comment

As I waited in line for Paul Merton’s Impro Chums, around the back of the Pleasance, next to the strategically and cleverly placed new bar, I was treated to an oddball conversation about Paul Merton’s Impro Chums from a pair of Morningside Grannies. By “treated to” I mean “accidental eavesdropping” but that’s a hazard all Fringe queue lines bring.

The conservation went like this;

”Of course, you know, there is no routine here. Just improvisation. My Billy said you should never pay to see improvisation. The comedian hasn’t even bothered to prepare anything.”

 

“Money for old rope.”

Dear me. I suppose I could see their point – there was no prepared script. I fear, though, the two had missed the point. Impro doesn’t mean lazy comedian. In fact, you could argue that the Impro Chums would have to work harder than most.

Their conversation got better.

”And you know… the ticket is just for Paul Merton’s Impro Chums. It doesn’t actually say he will be there.”

Good news. This local reviewer can confirm that Paul Merton is actually one of Paul Merton’s Impro Chums.

The other Impro Chums are Suki Webster, Richard Vranch, Lee Simpson and Mike McShane. I’m sure they all hate it but that’s collective that reminds me of “Whose Line Is It Anyway”. Clive Anderson is up in the Festival this year too. I know. I queued for hotdogs with him.

I’ve been to see the Chums in festivals past – and that really helps. There are some in-jokes. For example, none of the team want to be the last one standing when a scene starts to kill them off (typically in the Shakespeare game). Watch to see if they’re ganging up on anyone in the tag-in game too.

What you get from the Impro Chums is not just hard work – but lots of experience, skill and humour too. Although every Impro show is going to be different there is an foundation of excellence from which this show is built on.
I loved it. I was in hysterics. My eyes watered.

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Related

Filed Under: Festival Tagged With: 2012 festival, comedy, edfest, paul merton, pleasance

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Us

  • » We're not influencers,
  • » We're boots on the ground,
  • » We're opinionated,
  • » ... and we're friendly.
  • » You can sponsor the blog/socials.

 

Tip Jar

We fund this site a little differently and one way is through tips.

 

Features

  • Solo eating in Edinburgh
  • Edinburgh Christmas
  • Edinburgh Festival
  • Edinburgh Authors
  • Edinburgh Broadband
  • How to submit a review
  • Contact Us

Instagram

Girdy (aka Andrew) celebrated St Andrews Day and @Sabzi_2021, a great Ferry Road restaurant, finally getting their 9 o'clock licence by having the Haggis Paneer Kofta. How's that for a fusion? Success and success!
Girdy can happily confirm that @fortitudecoffee's new Abbey Mount location is just as good as York Place: fewer steps, more places to rest your feet and great coffee.
Girdy & Birdy were feeling festive as they enjoyed a ride on the #Forth1BigWheel as part of their Christmas night out! #EdinburghChristmas #EdinburghChristmasMarket #edinburgh @edinburghschristmas
We went up the #Forth1BigWheel and managed to time our descent with the scream-making flyer behind the #ScottMonument. Doesn't it look like an #uap?
After touring the #CastleOfLight the other day, Girdy and Birdy popped into @august37burgers for tasty burgers, friendly service and warmth! Do you know how the venue got its name?
Snapped this the other night (while it was still warm enough for fingers) and isn't @pierinosleith looking great. Is there an Edinburgh chippy with as many awards?

Recent Reviews

  • A Review of Castle of Light: Magic and Mystery
  • Review: The Crumbleologist, a street food crumble bar
  • Competition: The Augmentors – a young adult steampunk adventure
  • Spotlight: The team at Rosslyn Associates
  • Review: Maki & Ramen, Fountainbridge
  • Girdy & Birdy Review: Foresters Guild, Portobello
  • Review: Just the Tonic comedy night – Milton Jones

Follow on Twitter

My Tweets

About us

  • » Contact
  • » PR, media & us

Ads & Deals

  • » Sponsorship Deals

Copyright © 2023 — Edinburgh Reviews • All rights reserved.