Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

Oxford Playhouse

THE performance of Stiff!!! at the Oxford Playhouse was literally unique.

For none of you will ever get to see it.

Never. Ever.

For Saturday night’s performance was part of the phenomenon which is Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, which has been touring the country bringing each audience their very own theatrical experience based on their own suggestions.

Saturday night at the Oxford Playhouse saw the creation of Stiff!!!, a drama set in an undertakers.

An errant son, an unjust will, a love affair and a possessed dog all added to the hilarity as the troupe worked their collective way through numerous musical styles, which were again suggested by the audience, from Stephen Sondheim to Les Miserables to Seven Brides For Seven Brothers.

What is remarkable is that not only do the Showstoppers manage to sing the same lyrics together and harmonise but they actually manage to pull off a coherent plot with a beginning, middle and an end, and with a musical finale featuring the show’s title tune — in our case Stiff!!!.

Praise must go as well to the pianist and drummer who sat on stage effortlessly leading the musical adventure.

Showstopper! was only at the Playhouse for one night but with successful runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and on the West End under its belt, it is bound to turn up at a theatre near you in the not too distant future. Don’t miss your chance to write your own musical.