Stop, the Oxford University Drama Society’s national touring show, was created
by students with help from French musical theatre composer and producer
Claude-Michel Schönberg, known for such international successes as Les
Miserables. Taking place on one day as four disparate individuals wait at a bus
stop, Stop explores their stories and relationships as they struggle with mental
health. The musical exposes the reality and normality of mental illness and was
produced in collaboration with the mental health charity SANE. The show marks
an important attempt to bring these important issues to a wide audience.
Chloe, a chipper psychology student and flashcard devotee, loves the Green
party, Harry Potter, Barbra Streisand, and warm weather. She is also extremely
anxious, scared and alone. Louis is an overly positive and motivated sports lover
and ‘life coach’ with a dark, concealed past. Justin, gay, is a great dancer but can’t
bring himself to go to a final audition because he feels safer at home. Martha is a
lawyer whose husband is depressed, possibly suicidal, and dealing with it is
taking its toll on her. It is implied that the four suffer from, respectively, bipolar
disorder, bulimia, panic attacks and alcoholism.
The music of Stop is rhythm-driven and contains some interesting and difficult
chords and melodies. The relentless energy and precision the cast displays, along
with their mastery of some complex, quick-speaking passages, make up for some

lack of singing training. In any case, this musical is not so much about the music
as about how the characters convey emotions using rhythms and pitches.
Unconventionally for a musical, there are many spoken passages, notably a
monologue in which a woman must recall the death of her husband before a
court, that are just as moving as the sung parts.
The performances are strong and clear-cut. Especially compelling is Gemma
Lowcock as Chloe, who seems to completely inhabit her character. However, all
the cast seem intent on telling the story and the result is a moving, entertaining,
fascinating afternoon that feeling urgent and real. At first, I was sceptical of the
idea of a mental health musical – however, the subject matter is handled with
nuance, humour and sincerity, making this a show not to miss.

Stop is playing C South until August 28th. For more information and tickets, see https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/stop.