Kiell Smith-Bynoe (star of Ghosts, Taskmaster and Stath Lets Flats) fronts the Kool Story Bro, which is renowned for inventive, off the hoof improvised comedy with a bevy of surprise celebrity hosts. But will they deliver tonight, and who is the special guest...
There’s improv and there’s improv done well. Tonight, this packed out, up for it, Saturday night Playhouse audience was treated to the latter. Kool Show Bro has earned a reputation for unpredictable, unscripted and brilliantly chaotic comedy. A live show that toured the nation, before consolidating as a revelrous, late-night Edinburgh Fringe show for the last four years.
The format sees a rolling roster of celebrity hosts extract bizarre, true anecdotes from the audience, for Smith-Bynoe and this world class improv ensemble to entertain, and entertain they do.
An expectant crowd is delighted to learn tonight’s surprise celebrity host is no less than Alison Hammond. This disarmingly warm and personable patron saint of Birmingham walks the isles with spontaneous humour, regaling how she once lived in Nottingham, evidenced with an accent impression straight out of Bulwell.
Her first of two audience interactions has the ensemble working an anecdote about a birthday boy getting drunk, being sick over his friend who later has his shoes stolen. The second about a girl putting her poo in her handbag. Followed by a couple finding love at the Amazon warehouse, broken collar bone at their wedding and getting drunk. Simple anecdotes where the fivesome tag team each other, creating hilarious sketches.
The groups chemistry and genuine joy at what they do is clear, as sharp wit and inventive performances shine through. In the absence of a safety net, the ensembles tremendous trust and teamwork stands out.
Cue absurd mayhem
No one hogs the spotlight. But rather they listen, engineering set ups for others to shine. Providing pivotal prompts, lines, use of body language, vocal tone and energies that enables them to mine the comedy in the absurd, unusual and emotional aspects of the anecdote.
The final anecdote is from Alison herself when a member of the audience inspires her to give an anecdote about how she went on holiday in Tunisia and got a job as a Kids DJ.
Cue absurd mayhem as the ensembles quickly created characters are all put out of work by Hammond in rapid succession as the players create frantically eccentric and elaborate theatrical worlds. They are so polished and refined you’d swear they’re rehearsed; but know they can’t be. Which is testament to the cast's skillset in a world where the audience are not simply watching a finished product; but are helping create it. Every performance is a one off, shaped by the people who happen to be in the room that night.
If you are lucky enough to get to the Fringe next year, go and enjoy this wonderful show.
Kool Story Bro Played at Nottingham Playhouse on Saturday 24th October 2026.
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