‘Any Suggestions, Doctor?’ is the improvisation show based on the BBC’s much loved flagship television sci-fi series, ‘Doctor Who’. Within this show an ensemble of actors take suggestions from the audience to create a totally original ‘Doctor Who’ episode on stage before their eyes.
The ensemble for this production clearly have a love and great knowledge of ‘Doctor Who’, meaning they bring a real authenticity to their episode, where you genuinely feel a connection between this show and the series. That’s impressive considering all the actors have to play with set wise is a small TARDIS console, the iconic police telephone box and a couple of round things grouped together. That and some questionable costume pieces, it really is up to the actor’s imagination to lead the audience through this journey, and they do that well.
During our performance, the setting was the London Sealife Centre, Harry was The Doctor and the episode’s title was ‘The Time Travelling Eggs’. An interesting setup that involved the hatching of prehistoric creatures, conjured up by the Silurians or perhaps The Rani? The actors gave us a Chris Chibnall style finale so it was difficult to know who was really behind the happenings. Though with a northern tour guide, a talking megalodon, a dazed UNIT colonel and two iconic Silurians, it’s fair to say the cast conjured up a lot of laughs throughout the adventurous hour.
The cast all very much embodied the sci-fi nonsensical fiction that ‘Doctor Who’ is, while firmly spoofing the programme. When things got ridiculous (which they often did) the actors knew to bask in those moments and play on how chaotic the plot was. At points they did layer too much on the main structured plot they created, which didn’t as such stop the audience from following, however, it did take complicate the narrative and perhaps complicate the resolution for the actors.
The cast had their own one-man philharmonic orchestra, who was incredible, truly lifting scenes and really supplying the audience with a strong ‘Doctor Who’ vibe.
‘Any Suggestions, Doctor?’ is a fun filled hour of action, adventure and comedy. If you want a family show with escapism at it’s core then this is it.
Get your tickets below:
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/any-suggestions-doctor-the-improvised-doctor-who-parody
Theatre Scotland 
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