Baby Wants Candy have been a Fringe staple since 2006 and Shamilton proves why! An improv musical is like Forrest Gump’s chocolate box – you never know what you’re gonna get – but with this troupe you’re in safe hands even if those hands are slippery at times, taking you on a rollercoaster ride about Tony The Tiger.
Plot
A story of envy, revenge, friendship and… cereal?
The show changes every night, which is likely why I *just* managed to grab the last seat in the house for Saturday night’s spectacular. Taking Hamilton as a blueprint, hip hop style musical based on the life of a central character either real or fictional, the protagonist is selected by audience vote.
While I was momentarily very hyped for the possibility of a Pitbull musical, our audience voted for mascot extraordinaire Tony The Tiger and provided bizarrely specific and knowledgeable information about him to beef up the storyline and feed into the songs.
While most of the troupe are American, thankfully we had a token Brit onstage to provide some transatlantic translation of the cereal game (Frosties vs Frosted Flakes) for extra musical theatre accuracy.
Soundtrack
The way the cast are able to riff off each other and pick up on subtle cues to pull together full scenes, raps and songs is a magic I don’t know that I will ever understand. The ease and flow with which ‘The Schuyler Sisters’ was able to be reworked to a rap about Snap, Crackle and Pop (yep, those ones from the Rice Crispies packet) was truly something to be seen.
Corn (the cornflakes mascot)’s ‘Wait for It’ inspired ‘Full Box, Empty Heart’ had me feeling sympathy that I didn’t know I could feel for a fictional cockerel which briefly dipped during the very sinister, murder-y ‘Its What Im Gonna Cuck-a-doodle-doo’ but resumed once more with the finale ‘Don’t Cry Over Spilt Milk’.
The skill of the musicians cannot be overlooked in all of this either, providing the off the cuff musical backdrop for the hilarious quippy tunes.
Cast
The gang are clear experts at their craft with such quick wit, niche references and recall throughout the ‘making it up as you go along’ performance and sliding between characters as the scenes dictate without missing a beat.
Their ability to be so attuned to one another that this wild and weird cereal dramedy was able to flow so easily and not seem obviously improvised is a true testament to their skill. Special shout out has to go to the Ali Reed whose physical comedy and death drops casually flung into the storyline as if they were nothing had me in real tears.
Overall
Shamilton is a perfect show for anyone who loves Hamilton, surprises and improv comedy. The fact that the show changes each night keeps it fresh and exciting and its so evident that the cast and crew love switching it up night after night and the playing fast and loose with it.
Not only would I recommend this show but I would see it again (I’m holding out for your musical Pitbull!!).
Shamilton! The Improvised Hip-Hop Musical
Summary
A musical like no other.. literally. It’ll make you laugh, maybe cry but definitely keep you on your toes and entertained. One for theatre kids young and old, would definitely recommend.
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