Before Paul Merton’s Impro Chums begins the audience is asked to write down a suggestion for an improvisational sketch for possible inclusion in the show. And there lies the basis for what is to come. Through a mixture of improvisation games and audience suggestions, Paul Merton’s Impro Chums take the audience on a roller-coaster ride, with not even the actors knowing where each sketch will take them.
The cast of Paul Merton, Lee Simpson, Richard Vranch, Suki Webster and Mike McShane act spontaneously through a series of fast paced, high energy and quick witted sketches. In the style of ‘Who’s Line is it Anyway’, the audience shout out objects, emotions, locations, film and drama genres and situations, and the actors promptly react with ease, wit and imagination. The resulting sketches cover a variety of jokes, accents, songs and local jibes, ensuring the whole audience has something to laugh at.
Occasionally the group get lost along the way as the plot gets dragged out longer than remains funny and some jokes are tediously reused across several sketches. However these flaws are forgiven in admiration for the actor’s remarkable abilities for quick thinking and fast reactions.
Paul Merton’s Impro Chums play a familiar format and lack fresh or new content, but they do guarantee an entertaining, imaginative and talented display of quick wit and clever acting.
3/5 
Libby Pollock
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