'imaginative and fun to watch'
★★★★ - North West End
Taxi Tales is a spontaneous narrative theatre format originally designed for festival ensembles. It empowers a group to build a cohesive relationship-driven performance in a remarkably short timeframe (6–8 hours).
This is achieved by shifting the responsibility of scene editing to an outside director, who manages transitions via sound effects and ‘The Controller’ voice. Performers are thus freed to focus entirely on deep listening and authentic emotional responsive scene work.
Set in the back of a taxi, the story unfolds over a single night, revealing the personal struggles and frustrations of everyday life for both the driver and their passengers. What emerges across the show is voyeuristic, funny, and very human. The work is inspired by the writing of Raymond Carver short stories (which were later adapted into Robert Altman's film 'Short Cuts').
For the audience Taxi Tales is A ‘slice of life’ experience, they become witness to the fleeting, intimate, and often unheard stories told in the back of a taxicab.
Since its debut at the Liverpool Improvisation Festival (2025), the format has been showcased at Impro Amsterdam (2026) and staged by other directors at the Oxford Improv Festival (2026).
This format is open-access for you to use and adapt within your community. All we ask is that the original creator is appropriately credited in your promotional materials e.g., social media, website, poster, flyers and programmes.
This is achieved by shifting the responsibility of scene editing to an outside director, who manages transitions via sound effects and ‘The Controller’ voice. Performers are thus freed to focus entirely on deep listening and authentic emotional responsive scene work.
Set in the back of a taxi, the story unfolds over a single night, revealing the personal struggles and frustrations of everyday life for both the driver and their passengers. What emerges across the show is voyeuristic, funny, and very human. The work is inspired by the writing of Raymond Carver short stories (which were later adapted into Robert Altman's film 'Short Cuts').
For the audience Taxi Tales is A ‘slice of life’ experience, they become witness to the fleeting, intimate, and often unheard stories told in the back of a taxicab.
Since its debut at the Liverpool Improvisation Festival (2025), the format has been showcased at Impro Amsterdam (2026) and staged by other directors at the Oxford Improv Festival (2026).
This format is open-access for you to use and adapt within your community. All we ask is that the original creator is appropriately credited in your promotional materials e.g., social media, website, poster, flyers and programmes.
Format developed and conceived by: Mark Smith
You can contact Mark via email [email protected] for the full package of materials including, options on copy, images, lighting, sound design and performance notation.
You can contact Mark via email [email protected] for the full package of materials including, options on copy, images, lighting, sound design and performance notation.
Muprov Musing PODCAST
#77 - Hals adventures - Taxi Tale
Live interviews with the cast of Taxi Tales from the Liverpool Improvisation Festival. Taxi tales was an incredible show created and directed by Dr. Mark Smith that tells the story of twelve taxi rides over the course of one night.
#77 - Hals adventures - Taxi Tale
Live interviews with the cast of Taxi Tales from the Liverpool Improvisation Festival. Taxi tales was an incredible show created and directed by Dr. Mark Smith that tells the story of twelve taxi rides over the course of one night.
Quotes on previous work:
The work reminded me of Jim Cartwrights ‘Two’ and Caroline Aherne ‘The Royle Family’ – a slice of life made real amongst the buffet.
★★★★ - The Reviews Hub
Talk to the Hand is great fun, highly skilled and very funny.
★★★★ - The Reviews Hub
Improvised theatre at its very best
★★★★★ - At the Theatre
Supported by the Liverpool Improvisation Festival