Making Love With David Magidoff comedy review: Madcap musical improv
Together with his improv troupe, the actor and comedian turns a celebrity love story into a chaotic, song-filled one-off comedy show
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Reviewing a show that is completely different every night could be considered somewhat futile. Making Love With David Magidoff involves the American actor turned comedian discussing a (hopefully) hilarious tale from a special guest’s love life, which his improv troupe then adapt into a one-off performance… with songs. There’s a lot that could go wrong with this format (an unfunny guest, improvisers not firing on all cylinders) but this particular night goes off mostly without a hitch, largely due to Travis frontman Fran Healy’s bizarre scatological tale from his teenage years.
Despite there being a lot packed into the hour, it doesn’t always deliver. The show begins with two songs from Healy before Magidoff asks the crowd for their love stories; then there’s the interview, then improv and then a poem. It simultaneously feels like too much and too little. The improvisers are impressive and there are a few brilliantly quick moments from them. But a few lazy tropes from the genre, like turning one fairly amusing line into an entire song, are relied upon heavily. Also, the poem fundamentally doesn’t work at this performance. Still, it’s a fun way to spend an hour and Magidoff is a charming host. With all these variables, just don’t expect perfection.
Making Love With David Magidoff, Assembly George Square Studios, until 23 August, 8.05pm; picture: Lisa Remerowski.