EDINBURGH 2015 - BWW Reviews: THE BUMPER BLYTON IMPROVISED ADVENTURE, Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, August 13 2015

Like millions of others, I was brought up on the works of Enid Blyton. Indeed, my first "proper book" was one of her Secret Seven adventures and, even now, I still occasionally wish I was enjoying midnight feasts and mischievous pranks as a Malory Towers pupil. As such, the idea of a Fringe show dedicated to creating a brand new Blyton-esque adventure seemed simply too spiffing to resist.

The Bumper Blyton Improvised Adventure uses audience suggestions to inspire an improvised performance in the style of the English pre-war middle class adventures where a group of kids are unable to set foot outside their front door without being drawn into a range of implausible situations, while still getting home in time for tea.

The whole show has a really nice atmosphere about it, from the proffered teacakes and boiled sweets as you enter, to the live incidental music that adds to the mood. It maintains a good balance between affectionate reverence for the Blyton canon, and self-aware jokes at the associated tropes. There is a good-natured dynamic between the talented cast members, who try and challenge each other, whether by prompting increasingly difficult mimes or by insisting they improvise songs on the spot. Perhaps a few more audience suggestions could have been elicited along the way, to maintain the rapport created at the outset, though distilling a book-length adventure into an hour-long show is already quite enough of a challenge.

Clearly enjoyed by all ages, The Bumper Blyton Improvised Adventure is a guaranteed ripping yarn with plenty of laughs along the way. Now, do pass the ginger beer, old chap!

The Bumper Blyton Improvised Adventure is playing at Laughing Horse at the Counting House at 16:00 until August 20th.

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