Review: Paul Merton and Chums - Liverpool Royal Court

Paul Merton

Liverpool Royal Court Theatre
(on nationwide tour)

Paul Merton and his Chums created a magical evening of fun and laughter with an improvisation show that bears all the hallmarks of TV's 'Whose Line Is It anyway?'

Staged on set of the current production "A Fistful of Collars" Merton and chums added only chairs, a musical keyboard and two litter bins.

Paul Merton, is one of the UK's favourite larger-than-life comedians and, with his talented friends, gave us a night to remember with two hours of almost non-stop comic situations.

Playing to a near-packed and excited audience, he managed to create spontaneous comic performances from ideas improvised, on the spot, and prompted by various members of the audience who were more than willing to shout out incongruous ideas.

He was joined on this occasion by Richard Vranch and Michael McShane who are no strangers to the television show. They proved invaluable with their ready wit, adaptability and comic timing. Vranch at one point lying prone on an improvised operating table while having raspberries blown on his abdomen.

Who would have thought that during all those shows on TV there was a repressed improv artist bursting to emerge from the demure "Richard Vranch at the Piano"

Paul Merton's 'Elvis singing underwater' and 'Life in Compost' sketches had the audience wriggling and guffawing with pleasure.

Sukie Webster, the only female member of the group, brought the house down with her improvised rendition of a sexy penguin singing a rock and roll number outside an igloo.

The whole show was a great success from beginning to end largely because the Chums were always ready and willing to wade in with ideas and there was no chance of a lull in the proceedings. Paul Merton's quickfire witticisms enhanced every performance and kept the audience amused throughout.

The final sketch of the evening 'Melancholy Punks in a Mental Institution' (Shakespearian mode) was a tour de force and it was here that Comedy Store veteran Lee Simpson best displayed his impressive acting talents.

It proved to be a great success and had the audience in stitches as Merton and Co strutted about the stage spouting maniacal rhetoric, in the style of the Bard, while the action was laden with punk rocker puns.

Not for those who dislike four-letter words, but nevertheless a jolly good night's entertainment.

Click rating 8/10

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