The premise of the improv show is that it begins at the end, and the improvisers must build a back story for what happens in a reverse timeline (if you know what I mean). To begin the show the company ask the audience for a word, any word. Someone suggests beans – and we’re off! The play ended with a bean induced slippage in aisle seven, but the improvisers must now create their story.
Sainsburys is the supermarket of choice, and the couple who were shopping in the store were rather heavy handedly admonished by security. We then move on to a rather murky discussion by executives about a merger of all supermarkets, yes, they are going to include the Co-op. This will lead to total domination of the supermarket sector and unchallenged pricing. We have Simon who lives with his Gran after being abandoned by his parents, he loves to draw tins of beans.
There are several other incidental stories, and off shoots that happen as we go along, but to my mind it was lacking something. To create an interesting improv show it needs a hook, and I am not sure that the story backwards theme is enough to create interest. I think the improvisers did a good job, but it lacks direction. With only one suggestion at the beginning, the show bumbles along but can quite quickly seem as though they are struggling for interesting material.
Having covered improv shows for a few years, I find that the most interesting to watch are the ones with a clear sense of purpose at the beginning, involving the audience in their suggestions, and being quick enough to recognise when the story is falling flat. It is not just the wit of the improviser, but an interesting storyline to develop that is required.
There is no doubt that this company is very competent at improv, it is the theme that just does not quite work for me.
The show has another performance at the Camden Fringe Festival on the 16th August at 3pm. To book tickets for this show go to – https://camdenfringe.com/events/the-show-that-goes-backwards/
Reviewer: Caroline Worswick
Reviewed: 9th August 2026
North West End UK / Theatre Muse UK Rating:
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