You’re On The Right Track

If you are thinking that you’ve never heard the song that is todays blip title, that is because it didn’t exist until an hour ago.
We had seen “Showstopper! The Improvised Musical” a few years ago in London, but hadn’t realised they also had a touring production. So when I found it was coming to The Coro in Ulverston, I booked tickets right away. Sadly, it seems that not many other people had heard of it as we were quite a small audience.
The premise is simple. A totally improvised musical comedy based on suggestions from the audience. Songs, dialogue and dances made up on the spot by some very talented people and played out over two acts. One actor plays the director and he collates the suggestions from the audience and stops and starts the show as necessary to keep it on track.
So what was our musical all about? From the photo you can see that it was called “Help!” and that influences were to include Lin Manuel Miranda, Stephen Sondheim and Kinky Boots. The bizarre setting was “a wardrobe” and this story gradually developed of a boy who was afraid of the dark and who found a mysterious world inside his wardrobe. Throw in a sister who wanted to join the army, a mother who was having an affair with Hansel (of Hansel and Gretel fame - don’t ask!), a cowardly father and a ghostly grandma wielding a malevolent presence over everything, and you can see that it was a very surreal show. But also very funny and with some very catchy songs and surprisingly well choreographed dance numbers.
An excellent evening’s entertainment and I do hope they keep their promise to come back next year. Hopefully there will be a bigger audience to enjoy what will - of course - be a totally new show. You know it’s been a good night when you hear the audience walking out humming and singing the final number. “…one step forward, one step back. Two steps forward, you’re on the right track!…” Considering that song didn’t exist until the final few minutes of the show, it managed to be catchy, uplifting and memorable all at the same time!