Jim Henson's Puppet Improv - Adults Only
Assembly Rooms

Usual scenario for improv, audience suggestions of location and actions BUT acted out by Muppets (not any famous ones) and their puppeteers. This curious development does actually achieve a level of success and after a while you do almost forget about the puppeteers as the Muppets interface with the audience. Watch on a big screen for the puppets only or on stage for the amazing controllers animating them. It is quite surreal seeing this in operation and even weirder when the puppets swear and act out some of the audiences more fruity suggestions. The puppeteers seem game for anything, however the rudeness is sometimes at the expense of genuine humour. These are not the most accomplished of improvisers but the show is successful if only for it's novelty factor, but don't expect the sketches to lead anywhere more than the most obvious gag, banal pun or embarrassed silence.

This was never going to be an intimate show being in the largest Fringe venue, and for me improv really needs to be a more captivating process than watching a telly in a barn. Nevertheless the show does offer something new, although with a venue of this size i can't see children being engaged or sitting still for the afternoon kids version.

Hands up for the Muppets.