The world is being run over by fat children. They are rolling around and squashing everyone in their path creating an unsightly mess. But the Noise Next Door has a solution; have a Jamaican man defeat them with, well, handstands. Perhaps not ready for the UN, these five, quick witted improvisers are certainly ready for the Fringe. Their high-energy standard improv show, driven by audience suggestion, comes fast and furious with a penchant for selecting the more outrageous and nonsensical ideas. They sing, dance and use the most basic of props; the space in front of them. The energy never drops for a moment but the corny side-jokes often do, eliciting groans from the peanut gallery. They tend to do quite a bit of gagging - breaking character to parody their own efforts which at times works but otherwise slows the action.On stage they up the ante for themselves by taunting each other with increasingly difficult scenarios - all to the delight of the audience. Various improv games are played in the show which tie together to form an overall story summarised at the end with a clever denouement. One game played several times is like 'Who, What, When' which requires a performer to leave the stage while the cast creates a situation with input from the audience. The performer returns to try and guess the answer while simultaneously goaded and assisted by the group.The speed of word-play and physical dexterity of some of the performers is impressive. Tom Houghton deftly transforms suggestions into a spew of songs chock full of cultural references. The rubber limbed Matt Grant twists and turns his body as if he left his bones at home. With all this talent and energy it's surprising that a more imaginative show is not presented. As it is, it's run of the mill improv. Funny, but you've seen it.
