Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

“This will be my 14th consecutive year going to Ed Fringe. It’s now labelled simply in my diary as “Ed,” which I like because it does kind of feel like an old friend.”

WHO: Ali James

WHAT: “The Olivier Award-winning West End smash hit and Fringe favourite is back! The Showstoppers improvise a hilarious new musical every show, totally inspired by audience suggestions, in ‘the funniest improv on the Fringe’ (BroadwayBaby.com). The mind-blowing, must-see phenomenon where it’s opening night of the hottest musical in town… every night! With over 1,500 hilarious made-up musicals to their name, The Showstoppers never perform the same show twice. ‘So polished, it defies belief’ ***** (Telegraph). ‘A consistent audience favorite for a reason.’ ***** (Playbill). ‘Achingly funny… worth seeing again and again.’ ***** (Time Out).”

WHERE: Grand at Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33)

WHEN: 17:20 (70 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, this will be my 14th consecutive year going to Ed Fringe. It’s now labelled simply in my diary as “Ed,” which I like because it does kind of feel like an old friend.

In fact, Ed is a great pal; I’ve had some of the best experiences of my career and indeed life directing, performing, spectating and, yes, partying over the years with Ed. The sheer variety of Ed’s interests really keeps me guessing and broadening my horizons as to what I enjoy. From Peter Pan inspired club nights where we refused to grow up to masked theatre shows exploring thought provoking themes like mental health as we age, the programme is FULL.

At the same time, I know what I’m in for and nowadays know when me and Ed need our downtime. Did you know there is a little garden down the ramp next to the Pleasance Grand entrance? Hardly anyone knows about it and Ed and I often enjoy an iced tea and plan your next exploit there with the all encompassing Fringe Guide. Or maybe grab yourself a healthy smoothie at Hula on the Grass Market and catch up on the latest hot goss (either from reviews or word of mouth). Carving out these little pockets of time together is essential for maximum friendship benefit.

Like all great friends, Ed listens well. When things aren’t as good as they could be the Ed Fringe Society and board members respond, having made it their year round commitment to deliver a festival better than the last every time. And their recommendations (eg 2-4-1 deals and mixed bill shows like Pick of the Fringe) are more often than not bang on, so do take their advice to heart.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2025 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I’m currently learning to boundary my time more effectively (challenging as a freelance director and performer!) so I can continue to give the absolute best of me to each of my respective projects (three of which will be part of Ed Fringe this year). Fitness, rest and relaxation have to be part of my everyday routine now. I try to take care of my body so I can keep moving dynamically in Showstopper and am constantly thrilled by our artistic developments as a company. Ed’s audiences are very loyal and have helped Showstopper galvanise and grow annually for the last 17 years, for which I’m very grateful.

Tell us about your show.

Showstopper is a 70 minute improvised West End/ Broadway musical. The concept is simple; a theatre writer’s producer calls and asks for a new musical. Out of ideas, they turn to their audience for inspiration. We, the seven strong cast and three strong band spontaneously bring to life the imagined story, choreography and songs celebrating the audiences brilliant suggestions. Produced by Suzanna Rosenthal, Showstopper has been running since its porta cabin inception of 2008 inspired by the work of British theatre director Ken Campbell. We tour the UK year round and occasionally have stints abroad too. We’ll be back in the autumn in lots of UK cities and continuing our London West End residency at the stunning Cambridge Theatre.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

I will always suggest Austentatious! (An improvised Jane Austen novel that makes me laugh so hard I sometimes cry) and The Bob Ross Effect (also an SRP show) from the mind and heart of legendary Fringe performer Sarah Louise Young where you get to (if you’d like) draw along with Sarah and explore how art can help us all.

So from me and Ed, join us this August for a summer friendship fest like no other!

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“I only hope that the rising costs can be brought under control so that artists from all backgrounds are able to take part. That vision must be protected. Please don’t let it be an event for rich kids only.”

WHO: Adam Meggido

WHAT: “The Olivier Award–winning West End hit is back! It’s opening night for the hottest new musical in town… every night! There’s just one problem – the writer hasn’t written a note and needs your help… See your suggestions turned into a brand new musical ‘the funniest improv on the Fringe’ (BroadwayBaby.com). Now in their 16th year, your Edinburgh experience is incomplete without it! ‘So polished, it defies belief’ ***** (Telegraph). ‘This festival mainstay is a consistent audience favorite for a reason’ ***** (Playbill.com). ‘Achingly funny… worth seeing again and again’ ***** (Time Out).”

WHERE: Grand at Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33)

WHEN: 17:20 (70 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my 21st Fringe. I first came with the National Youth Music Theatre in 1986! I remember being thrilled by the sheer scale of the festival and that hasn’t changed. Every year I marvel at the range of extraordinary acts, plays, events, storytellers, dancers, musicians, and artists of all kinds. The boundaries between us all come down – we are all punters, artists, producers, all making art and watching others do the same. I am still hugely enthusiastic about the festival. I only hope that the rising costs can be brought under control so that artists from all backgrounds are able to take part. That vision must be protected. Please don’t let it be an event for rich kids only.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Don’t worry so much. Enjoy each moment. I have also learned a great deal about the effect I have on other people. I won’t share that here, but suffice to say I’m working on it 🙂

Tell us about your show.

It’s a musical – but everything is made up on the spot. Nothing is prepared in advance. And we’ve been doing it since 2008! Back then, a few of us were working with Ken Campbell, the inspirational theatre maverick, improvising at the Royal Court and Shakespeare’s Globe. It was a blast! Ken always enjoyed it when some of us sang, so we got used to improvising songs and ‘moments from a musical’ and it always seemed to go down well.

One day I sat down with Dylan Emery (who at that point was playing the keyboard for us) and we discussed doing a whole musical – entirely improvised. There were other improv musical shows in the world, but I had never seen anyone do something that looked and felt like a real musical, so that’s what we aspired to. We were lucky that audiences were prepared to come on that journey with us.

Now it’s played all over the world and runs in London’s West End. I think we will continue to tour, play the West End, and play the Fringe, for as long as people want to watch us. I enjoy the show now more than I’ve ever enjoyed it. It’s endlessly fascinating and we are constantly working to improve it. The novelty is yet to wear off and I love doing something different every night.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

Literally anything. That’s the joy of the Fringe. You can have everything! Something similar, something contrasting… whatever you fancy. Personally, I love to go and see dance at the Fringe. Or clowning from overseas. I’m always keen to see something I can’t see when home in London. Something that will inspire me and make me think differently.

Two shows specifically are Susan Harrison’s ‘Should I Still Be Doing This?’ – Susan has been to the Fringe many times as a performer in Showstopper! and is now bringing a new character comedy show to the festival. I also think people should see Nina Conti’s show ‘Whose Face Is It Anyway?’.

But I love to hear people talking about our show as they exit – they can’t believe it’s improvised. Sometimes they don’t believe it’s improvised. (It is, but we take that as a great compliment.)

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Tag Archives: Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

EdFringe Talk: Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

“This will be my 14th consecutive year going to Ed Fringe. It’s now labelled simply in my diary as “Ed,” which I like because it does kind of feel like an old friend.”

EdFringe Talk: Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

“I only hope that the rising costs can be brought under control so that artists from all backgrounds are able to take part. That vision must be protected. Please don’t let it be an event for rich kids only.”