Fringe Theatre Reviews: Baby Wants Candy

American champions of improvised theatre Baby Wants Candy have achieved something of a cult status with their Completely Improvised Full Band Musical [★★★★☆]. Already cheering before the show has even begun, the audience are so determined to have a good time that it seems impossible for the performers to disappoint. But if you’re sceptical about the idea of an hour long musical that’s made up entirely on the spot, based on a title shouted out by the audience, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. Working off the rather dubious suggestion of 'strippers’ curry club', the actors and band pluck a wacky but well-developed narrative seemingly out of thin air, relying solely on their own uncanny improvisational skills and ability to bounce off each other with playful expertise. Some of the material they manage to come up with is genuinely hilarious, even if the combination of unbearable cheesiness and self-congratulatory political awareness makes it feel like a musical version of Upworthy. With its upbeat show tunes and infectious energy, it’s impossible not to be taken in by The Completely Improvised Full Band Musical, which, despite its sheer silliness, might actually be one of the most ambitious productions on offer at the Fringe.

In comparison, Thrones! The Musical [★★★☆☆] doesn’t quite make the cut. A musical parody of Game of Thrones, Baby Wants Candy’s trademark vulgar humour loses part of its appeal when the improvisational element is taken away, and verges on being predictable. That said, it’s certainly a punchy performance. The actors embrace the sheer absurdity of attempting to condense the HBO series into a concise summary and focus on parodying some of the TV show’s most iconic scenes, with well-delivered comic performances and a refreshing contempt for linear plot progression. Die-hard fans and newbies alike will find plenty to laugh at, including jokes about boobs, sex, and... that’s pretty much it actually. The company’s attempts at satirising the more problematic aspects of the series are also questionable: for every plot device in Game of Thrones that’s crude and uncomfortable, Baby Wants Candy have a joke that’s equally crude and uncomfortable, which doesn’t really achieve anything and is actually counterproductive when it comes to shedding light on challenging subjects.

The Improv All Star Explosion [★★★☆☆] might seem like a sly money-grabbing opportunity to feed off the company’s solid reputation, and perhaps in a way it is. But there can be no denying the quality of the production, and it’s so rare to see improv theatre done this well that it’s hard to argue against an opportunity to see more of the same. With a looser structure than the full-band musical format, Improv Allstar Explosion features a guest comdian, who answers personal questions from the audience, which the performers in turn convert into improvised sketches. Professional wrestler and comedian Colt Cabana is tonight’s special guest. A bit lacking in the improvisational flair of the seasoned Baby Wants Candy performers, his contribution is hit-and-miss, but still garners plenty of laughs. The second half of the show is far more successful. A volunteer from the audience is brought up on stage to answer questions about himself, and the performers then use this material to make a spontaneous musical about his life. Once again, you can’t help but be bowled over by how impossibly clever and sharp the improvisation is, and this time there’s a good-natured, intimate feel to the material, which is even funnier as a result.

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Baby Wants Candy: The Completely Improvised Full Band Musical, Assembly George Square Studios, run ended

Thrones! The Musical, Assembly George Square Studios, run ended

The Improv All Star Explosion, Assembly Checkpoint, run ended