Andrew Pugsley of Showstoppers! Tell us about your show. Why should we go and see it?
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical. It does what it says on the tin, really – an all-singing, all-dancing piece of musical theatre created live on the spot every night. The whole thing is based on audience suggestions, and no two shows are the same. Whether you love or hate musicals, you get to help create YOUR musical, for one night only. And there will be plenty of laughs along the way.
What makes you laugh?
Oh, we spend a lot of time laughing at/with each other. We’re quite a jolly bunch. I’m laughing now.
What three words best describe your performance style – and why.
In Showstopper we talk about ‘serious plus silly’ – when someone does something completely ridiculous but with utter conviction. So even when the audience gets us to be a bunch of dancing penguins, we strive to be the most awesome dancing penguins ever, and it hopefully makes the whole thing even funnier.
How will your audience think/feel differently after an hour in your company?
Well, every show is different, so we don’t entirely know! Maybe they’ll be moved by an epic love story, maybe they’ll be tickled by a romantic comedy, or whisked away on a fantastical adventure… all we know is that they will have a strong compulsion to stop by our merchandise stall on the way out (please).
What kind of shows – apart from your own – are you looking forward to seeing at the Edinburgh Fringe?
I don’t know yet! There are always tonnes of wonderful things to see, and often the best experiences are the gems you discover once you are up there. I’ll be keeping my ear to the ground and following the word of mouth…
The cost of living is a big issue this year – will it make this Fringe more challenging?
Definitely – for performers and punters alike. When we’re feeling the squeeze, everyone’s understandably more risk-averse and will turn to big acts they already know, rather than taking the chance on seeing lots of stuff that might or might not be up their street. And some will be priced out of the festival altogether this year. But we always need escapism, we always need to let off steam and have a laugh – and fringe artists have become very adept at creating something from nothing over the years.
What do you predict will emerge as the big themes of this year.
Good question! Current events have moved so fast this year it’s difficult to what to make of everything… I wonder if people will just be up for a bit of escapism instead. We’ll see!
Who is your showbiz idol and why.
Easy. Watch Donald O’Connor performing Make ‘Em Laugh in Singin’ in the Rain and tell me there’s a better showbiz performance from anyone!
What is your idea of a perfect Fringe moment?
That moment when someone stops by our merchandise stall at the end of the show and generously supports the company by purchasing quality but reasonably priced items (please).
Showstoppers! The Improvised Musical
21:10
Pleasance Courtyard Grand
Until 27 August
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/showstopper-the-improvised-musical
