Show and Tell

Another excellent improvised piece as part of Fringe World, Show and Tell opened at the new Midlandia outpost of Fringe World, before moving to the old Piccadilly Cinema venue, where it will continue on Wednesday and Thursday evenings until the end of the Fringe.

Each night Show and Tell features a guest storyteller who tells a series of stories throughout the performance. The first story was selected from a blackboard from suggestions provided by the audience (in turn inspired by a theme…. "Family" on the evening I attended). These stories lead to an improvised play (loosely linked to the initial story), which in turn inspires further stories, which are linked in turn to the play (all of which sounds more confusing than what it appears).

The storyteller when I viewed the show on opening night, Jon Bennet, was extremely engaging and personable and the calibre was continued the following night with Chris Bedding, whose raconteuring skills I have enjoyed in the past. The resulting improvisation was clever and funny with outstanding teamwork from Brianna Williams, Arielle Gray, Shane Adamczak, Fran Middleton and Nick Pages-Oliver. The story featured a little girl with superhero powers, which was a lovely adjunct to Jon's initial story about lying about his karate ability as a small child.

Superb musical accompaniment was improvised by Michael de Grussa, while director Tegan Mulvany controlled lights (and therefore length of scenes).

The cast varies throughout the season and includes Tim Watts, Izaak Lim, Brent Hill, James Helm, Liam Ryan and Sarah Reuben.

If subsequent shows are even half as good as its initial performance you will have a fabulous time at Show and Tell.

Kimberley Shaw