Review: Chesham Fringe Festival
About Adlibretto Impro
My first stop on the inaugural festival day was AdLibretto at the Little Theatre by the Park. They perform one-off original musicals based, in true improvisational comedy fashion, off spontaneous suggestions from the audience. So no script, no pre-agreed lyrics or plot, just very clever, off the cuff comedy and storytelling infused with songs made up on the spot!
Today's show was, to coin a title, 'Bins and Entertainment', about a French street performer called Marcel who upsets the 'boring' town of Chesham whose residents have an aversion to street performance of any kind (lots of tongue in cheek humour here for the local audience and their first fringe!), but eventually he finds a welcome place in the town working on the bins. Fear not: spoilers have no consequence here as this particular show will never be seen again!
And that is one of the major charms of AdLibretto. Everything you watch is unique, bespoke, spontaneous, and one off. The cast work playfully and confidently together, and are generous in creating space for each other, opening up imaginative possibilities and keeping the ball bouncing (or the rubbish juggling in tonight's particular show).
Led by Neil Goulder, this is a funny, clever, engaging hour of entertainment with a truly talented pianist who keeps the musical energy going with mood enhancing instrumentals and improvised accompaniments ranging over a wide span of styles. Definitely one to catch if they return next year!
Alexander Williams
“The cast work playfully and confidently together”
The AdLibretto Cast
Neil Goulder (Artistic Director)
Neil Goulder (Artistic Director)
Neil Goulder (Artistic Director)
... has created improvised musicals for several years with groups such as Multiverse and Wax Lyrical, and performs shortform with Unbound Theatre in Aylesbury. He sings with London Show Choir and The Jupiter Singers, and has supported tours by Russell Watson, Kerry Ellis and Derren Brown. Neil is officially Britain's Funniest Accountant.
Hannah Warman
Neil Goulder (Artistic Director)
Neil Goulder (Artistic Director)
... is a comedian, singer, improviser and writer who has performed and produced shows all over the UK. Her comedy music videos have been featured on Funny Or Die, the Metro, the Standard and the Daily Mail, and her song ‘Merry Christmas (Don’t be a D)’ was voted number one comedy Christmas song by Union Jack radio and featured on Chortle.
Jimmy Hook
Neil Goulder (Artistic Director)
Jimmy Hook
... has spent the last 15 years slowly graduating from acting in traditional plays and musicals over to the London impro and standup scene.
Chiggins
Tav (James Taverner)
Tav (James Taverner)
... is a performer and choreographer from Scotland. She has been performing impro for over 5 years, training with Hoopla, Track 96 and the FA. She has previously performed with Off-Stave, Acaprov and Untitled Rap Group.
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Tav (James Taverner)
Tav (James Taverner)
Tav (James Taverner)
... has performed in scripted musicals and plays with SEDOS, KDC Theatre, and Beijing Playhouse, and sings in barbershop groups. He has trained in musical improv with Showstoppers, Hoopla, and The Maydays.
Lizzie Winkler
Tav (James Taverner)
Lizzie Winkler
Lizzie has trained with Showstoppers, and performs character improv with The Non-Recyclables. You may have also have spotted her in No Time To Die or Upstart Crow ...
Our Musical Directors
Richard Jones
Tav (James Taverner)
Andrew Macmillan
Andrew Macmillan
Tav (James Taverner)
Andrew Macmillan