Creator: The Grumpkins
One of the criticisms often levelled against improvised shows is that they aren’t improvised at all and the suggestions of the audience can be easily enmeshed into a series of stock routines and jokes that deliver. However, the problem with The Improvised Adventures of Star Captain is that it is too improvised with the two performers as lost in space as their characters.
The Grumpkins (Pete Leaman and Emma T) haven’t even brought along a box of props. All the pair has with them are two chairs and a captain’s hat. Emma T dons the hat and with Leaman as her No.2, they head off into space looking for a cheeseboard, the single suggestion from the audience, to ease No.2’s stiff back. Along the way, they meet aliens and randy scientists who deal in avocados and grain.
The duo is likeable enough, but the jokes are pretty thin on the ground. For most of the 40 minutes, they rely too much on the absurdity of the narrative for the humour. There are few word-play puns and even fewer physical jokes, though, to be fair, Emma T’s impersonation of a galumphing alien raises some smiles.
Instead, the performers often repeat what the other has just said. It’s an obvious strategy to create some thinking time, but what comes next is just not worth the pause. They need to think more quickly and be lighter on their feet to keep up the daftness that they are so keen to provide.
There’s a sense that their partnership is a fairly new one and with more practice and performances the two will be able to bounce off each other with better and funnier results. But at the moment Leaman and Emma T are leaning on their personalities to drive the show, but they also need to do more work offstage. As it is, their show, rather than improvised, feels under-rehearsed.
Reviewed on 16 August 2024
Camden Fringe runs until 25 August 2024
