It is not easy task to market a show based on two of the least liked forms of performed arts, i.e. opera and improve theatre. But somehow Impropera not only have managed to fit them together, but they have accomplished the hard chore of making them loved by the audience.
Five minutes into the show, the host, Niall Ashdown, has the public shouting ideas and suggestions, which shows how easily likeable this characters are. Their quick thinking and imaginative minds allows them to create whole new pieces of music to random words and titles their chorus (the viewers) shout from the patio. These improvisations make for a fine hour of Bach, Mozart or Verdi, mixed with Elton John, and sentences such as ‘the giraffe wanted a banana’, ‘my husband put my fingers in a toaster’ or ‘the magnificent peaches of Paris’.
Not only is it a joy to listen to their voices, but it’s even a bigger pleasure to see how much fun they are having on stage, and how passionate they are about what they are doing. Special mention has to go to Morag McLaren, not only because her singing is superb, but also because her presence alone deserves the price of the ticket. Her laughter is contagious, and her facial expressions, acting skills and inventiveness are astonishing.
The only negative point, if any, this show has, it’s that they are only performing in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival till the 11th of August, which leaves little time left to enjoy what should be one of the main highlights of this year’s festival.
4/5
Adrian G. Velazquez
