Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

Don't miss the Olivier Award-winning Showstopper! The Improvised Musical as it makes its triumphant return to the West End for another unmissable season at the Cambridge Theatre!

London's West End is home to some of the world's most exciting theatrical productions, but few shows are as unique and thrilling as Showstopper! The Improvised Musical. No two shows are ever the same with performers creating a brand new show each night based on the audience suggestions.

What is Showstopper! The Improvised Musical?

What started as a wild challenge from legendary theatre-maker Ken Campbell has turned into a live-stage sensation. Now, more than a decade after its first West End run, the Olivier Award-winning Showstopper! The Improvised Musical is back in London's West End.

The idea behind the show kicked off when Adam Meggido teamed up with Ken Campbell for Shall We Shog?, an improvised Shakespeare-inspired experiment at The Globe. From there, a group of actors took things even further, forming The School of Night – a troupe dedicated to fully unscripted performances across the UK. Meggido and Dylan Emery took things even further, launching Showstopper! after working with Campbell and discovering just how far improvisation could go in musical theatre. The result? A completely unique show that’s been wowing audiences since 2008.

From selling out year after year at the Edinburgh Fringe to landing its own BBC Radio 4 series, Showstopper! was the first improv show to get a West End run at the Apollo Theatre back in 2015.

Every night, the cast creates a brand-new musical on the spot, all based on audience suggestions. It all starts with the writer, on a tight deadline, racing to the stage and turning to the crowd for inspiration – where is the story set? What’s the title? Which musical styles should feature? Then, just like that, the actors bring the story to life with completely improvised characters, dance routines and songs.

Whether you're a fan of musicals or simply enjoy the thrill of live improvisation, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical is a must-see in London. 

Why you should see Showstopper! The Improvised Musical in London

If you're after a theatre experience that is unpredictable and packed with laughter, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical needs to be on your list. This isn’t your typical West End show – with every single performance completely unique, a brand-new story, characters, and musical numbers made up on the spot by a talented cast and live band. And the best part? The audience gets to throw ideas their way, shaping the story as it happens.

Since its debut in 2008, Showstopper! has collected rave reviews and met roaring success, selling out at the Edinburgh Fringe and touring the UK before securing a well-earned spot in the West End. It even made history as the first improv show to be nominated for an Olivier Award, taking home Best Entertainment and Family Show in 2016. If you're looking for a show bursting with creativity and energy, Showstopper! is one to have on your list when coming to the London West End.

Who are the actors in the improvised musical Showstopper?

Showstopper! brings a fresh performance to the stage every night, with seven talented cast members and a live band creating a new musical score from scratch.

The cast includes Julie Clare, who has been with the show since its debut in 2008 and is now one of the producers. She is joined by actor and multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Ainscough, as well as comic writer and performer Ruth Bratt.

Other cast members include Justin Brett, Matt Cavendish (who you may have seen in The Play That Goes Wrong), Miracle Chance (known for Heathers at the Palace Theatre), and actress and artistic director Pippa Evans (from Radio 4’s Pippa Evans Grows Up), along with other regular comedians and performers who bring their improvisational skills to each show.

Please note the cast is subject to change. 

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical tickets

Book Showstopper tickets at the Cambridge Theatre online with Visit London. View a seating plan to pick where to sit and watch a musical like no other.

Ticket prices can be seen when viewing the seating map.

What is the running time of the improvised musical Showstopper?

The musical is one hour and 50 minutes long, including an interval.

When are the performances taking place?

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical is taking to the stage at the Cambridge Theatre on set dates from March until December. The musical currently has nine dates on sale, usually taking place on Mondays at 7.30 pm.  

Cambridge Theatre venue details

The musical is performing at the Cambridge Theatre, located on Earlham Street.

How to get there:

• Underground – Covent Garden station (Piccadilly line) and Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines) are the nearest Tube stations.
• Bus – Several bus routes stop at Cambridge Circus (14, 19, 24, 29, 38, 176 and N5).
• By bike – Hire a Santander Cycles bike and head for Moor Street in Soho, where you can find the nearest Santander Cycles docks.

What age is the musical suitable for?

The show is recommended for anyone aged 12 and above. Anyone aged 16 and under needs to be accompanied by an adult. Any child under four won’t be admitted inside the theatre.

What other shows can I see in London?

See another one of a kind theatral production with The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre and witness a cast in the midst of  a turmoil. Or, if you're up for more improv, catch Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel at the Vaudeville Theatre, where a brand-new and entirely unscripted Austen-inspired story unfolds each night.