Review by Steve Bennett

These energetic Amersterdam-based Americans begin by filming mini-interviews with audience members on a hand-held camera, gleaning snippets of information to be cleverly incorporated into later lyrics.

It's a typically large-scale and technologically slick piece of trickery for which the troupe has become known - so what better use for their style than the overblown world or the rock star?

The subject gives them scope for an impressive Top of the Pops spoof, including impersonations of Britney, Ozzie and Macy Grey (which was particularly accurate as well as being visually comical)

The group then took turns in doing skits. A car-driving mime, in which a couple argue to poignant and well-matched lyrics of popular songs is very amusing, if hardly original

Some of the improvisation worked well, proving the group can think quickly on their feet. However, the hostage sketch in which the president of the Ricky Martin fan club is kidnapped is not only unfunny but also tortuously laboured.

The comedians have varying degrees of input and because of this some of the troupe do not have as great a chance to shine. The impressive technology at their disposal could have elevated the show if used to its full potential, but is an opportunity missed.

The increasingly overused "will all audience members who intend to blatantly steal from a famous camp Irish comedian's TV show please stand up" proved to be a just a tad predictable. It was particularly embarrassing for the female spectator left stood alone.

One of the pitfalls of improv is the temptation to use stereotypical characters that by their very nature tend to be predictable, a lure this quintet succumbed to too often.

The show is big and booming and put together reasonably well. Although slick in parts - with nuggets of hilarity and good material at times - it seems that ambition and enthusiasm cannot hold together this one-hour show. There is a little too much wind in this Chicago.

Review date: 1 Jan 2006
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett