ANYTHING could happen at the Pavilion on Tuesday.

Well anything within reason for a comedy show, as television celebrity Paul Merton arrives with his chums for an improvised show where they play out scenes requested by the crowd.

The unplanned performances see audience members calling out and writing down ideas and subjects for sketches with film, literature and plays among the themes. The star of the television show Have I Got News For You said he loves the freedom of the format on the Paul Merton’s Impro Chums tour.

“Someone gives you and idea and you can run with it and the idea develops there and then,” he said.

“You don’t have to take it to a focus group. You just do the idea and it lives or dies in its response with the audience.”

Paul’s chums on stage are comedians Mike McShane, Lee Simpson, Richard Vranch and Suki Webster. Visitors to the Pavilion on Tuesday may recognise Mike from the show Whose Line is it Anyway. Lee and Richard appear at the Comedy Store, like Paul, with Richard having also been on Radio 4’s Just a Minute.

Suki Webster is a regular guest of The Comedy Store Players and has toured the world with Paul.

She co-wrote Paul Merton Looks at Alfred Hitchcock and a Morecambe and Wise tribute show on BBC1.

Suki also co-wrote and was assistant director on Paul Merton’s Birth of Hollywood on BBC2.

Paul said the fact that they all get on so well helps the comedy.

“It’s important that you get on with the people you work. Otherwise if you are doing improvisation with people you don’t get on with all the scenes become arguments.”

Paul said the joy of this show is picking out ideas that work.

“We are constantly looking for the stuff that’s working and that we enjoy playing with,” he said.

“That’s the fun thing about it and every show is completely different.”

He said he enjoys visiting Bournemouth and Poole and expects to enjoy a crowd full of interesting ideas and themes..

He added: “I like being by the sea side with all the fresh air and all that sort of stuff so I’m looking forward to it and getting some great suggestions.”