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My Top 5 Showtunes: Stephanie Clift

The actress tells us the musical numbers she couldn’t live without

Stephanie Clift as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors
Stephanie Clift as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors
© Matt Martin

Stephanie Clift's credits include Broadchurch and Call the Midwife. She made her professional stage debut in 2014 as Lisa in the West End production of Mamma Mia!

She is currently starring as Audrey in the UK tour of Little Shop of Horrors.

We caught up with Stephanie and asked her: "If you were stranded on a desert island, which five showtunes could you not live without?"


1. "Suddenly Seymour" from Little Shop of Horrors

OK I know please don’t judge me, but honestly, hand on heart this is my all time favourite song. I have always loved the show, which is why I am so thrilled to be doing it, and this song makes my heart super warm and fuzzy! I love Sheridan Smith and Paul Keating's version, the Menier Chocolate Factory's production back in 2006 is where my love for this show and the part of Audrey started! Eek…. THIS SHOW IS THE BEST *does happy dance*

2. "The Girl in 14G" by Kristin Chenoweth

Now this isn't from a musical as such so I might be breaking the rules, but YOLO.

This is totally my go-to auditions song. I make it work for everything, literally, EVERYTHING. It's not always appropriate, but Steph will always have it in hand, HA! It is a song that was performed by the fabulous Kristin Chenoweth for her album Let Yourself Go. I just love it, it makes me laugh!

3. "Take Me or Leave Me" from Rent

Absolute classic from Rent. It's just one of those songs you have to perform at 3am with your bestie, thinking you ARE Idina, standing on a table (optional) and scream singing the lyrics, whilst deciding which harmony line you're going to take! I always find as soon as the ‘boom… boom boom booms’ come in at the start everyone mutually gets excited and prepares their larynx for the vocal damage that is about to occur. You can't beat it!

4. "Dance Ten, Looks Three" from A Chorus Line

So, growing up I just adored A Chorus Line, I would watch it on repeat (stagey!) But hilariously my six-year-old self loved this song, I would of course put lots of emphasis on the words ‘tits’ and ‘ass’ thinking i was unstoppable and sassy! Brilliant show and a brilliant part!

5. "Can't Help Falling in Love" from All Shook Up

This song brings me out in goose pimples! Its from All Shook Up and it's just brilliant. I particularly love it because it reminds me of my gorgeous class of 2013 Arts Ed bunch! We sung this song together as an entire year for our graduation, and hearing all the harmonies and everyone's phenomenal voices together was just overwhelming. So much so I cried, which was awkward as I was meant to be singing, but it was simply beautiful! I'm going to have this song recreated at my wedding one day, so Arts Ed friends, don’t throw away the sheet music!