ED2013 4/5 Reviews ED2013 Comedy Reviews

The Oxford Imps (Oxford Imps)

By Patricia-Ann Young | Published on Saturday 10 August 2013

Sometimes tales of good improv troupes seem to be nothing more than myth: much talked about but never seen. Here then are The Oxford Imps, the living legends that effortlessly pull off a tightly paced, incredibly funny show in a comedy niche that can be very hard to get right. The Imps use audience suggestion to fill pre-arranged scenarios, with one Imp acting as a rather stringent umpire so that the show never lags or loses momentum (a quick death to all improvisation). They do run into some of the same problems that beset all on-the-hoof productions – namely, that some Imps are stronger than others, leaving the gig occasionally uneven. But regardless, what’s on offer still constitutes cracking  afternoon comedy.

Gilded Balloon Teviot, until 26 Aug, 3.15pm.
tw rating 4/5 [Patricia-Ann Young]