one4review | On 30, Aug 2026

Fabled is a completely improvised show. The audience suggests that the hero should be called “Josephine” and that her quest should be to find Pokémon cards. This is accepted completely, and we are off. Seconds later, the opening scene finds Josephine standing beside a grave, mourning her dead mother.

This is not where improv shows normally begin, but it is exactly where medieval fantasies often do. Gareth O’Connor, Josh Tyas, Karlie Menzel, Megan Rose McCarthy and Michelle Fahrenheim immediately immerse us in a world that feels as though it genuinely exists if it is a little bit bonkers.

Josephine’s quest takes us through tarot shops, romances and old timey inns. There are two men secretly in love, a dragon, a Pokémon wind whisper, and eventually, “the” song.

Some scenes end after one perfect line; others expand into entire subplots. By the conclusion, the dragon has been vanquished in an unusual fashion, a baby has evolved to become a boyfriend and Josephine has returned to finishing school. Absurd as this sounds, every development feels completely earned.

The performers are calm, confident and tremendously funny. They never strain to make us laugh or invite us to giggle simply because everything is being invented. Each new detail grows from something another performer has offered, if it doesn’t build the story usually it makes us laugh.

They listen, accept every choice and build upon it, creating long-form improv that is equal parts skillful witty and silly.

The cloaks, tableaux and live backstage voices integrate beautifully, but it is the interaction between the cast being equal parts witty and engaging that creates this delightfully funny medieval world.

Musician Laila Woozeer takes the entire performance up another level. The accompaniment reacts in the moment without encroaching upon the action. Woozeer’s deft approach exemplifies the subtle, gentle way everyone supports one another to crack people up, consistently throughout.

As I left, I heard someone say, “That was just so damn good. I didn’t really know what to expect.” For most audiences, this would unquestionably be a five-star experience.( I’ve seen about 1000 improv shows and I’d place it in the top 5%)

Fabled is high-level comedy, beautifully acted and expertly improvised. It skates across the silly but occasionally lands on the profound.

Catch it in London at the free association or the final performance this fringe on Monday.

★★★★
Reviewed by Stephen “Sharpie” Sharp
Gilded Balloon Teviot
Until 31 August
14.20 (1 hour)