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INDHU RUBASINGHAM’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED REVIVAL OF AYAD AKHTAR’S THE INVISIBLE HAND

AVAILABLE TO STREAM ON DEMAND FOR 72 HOURS ONLY

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“This really is edge-of-your-seat theatre.” The Telegraph

Following a sell-out run at Kiln Theatre, Indhu Rubasingham’scritically acclaimed revival of Ayad Akhtar’s The Invisible Hand will be available to view online for 3 days only from 13-15 August. Tickets are available via www.KilnTheatre.com from £10, with audio description and captions available.

Artistic Director of Kiln Theatre, Indhu Rubasingham said today, “With our live performances sold out, I am thrilled we’re able to share Ayad Akhtar’s extraordinarily timely play, including audio described and captioned versions, with even more people around the world, including those who may be shielding or not able to travel to Kiln Theatre.”

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“Indhu Rubasingham excels in her directorial signatures of pacy staging combined with clarity of narrative and characterisation. Ticket recommendation – buy, buy, buy” Guardian

You see we are prisoners of a corrupt country that is our own making. But don’t pretend you don’t participate. You do. Of course you do.

American banker Nick Bright knows that his freedom comes at a price. Confined to a cell in rural Pakistan, every second counts. Who will decide his fate? His captors, or the whims of the market?

Indhu Rubasingham directs Tony Jayawardena, Scott Karim, Daniel Lapaine and Sid Sagar. With design by Lizzie Clachan, lighting design by Oliver Fenwick, and sound design by Alexander Caplen.

Kiln Theatre

Listings

269 Kilburn High Road, London, UK, NW6 7JR

Box Office: 020 7328 1000

www.KilnTheatre.com

Tickets from £10

On demand for 72 hours from Friday 13 August 2021

DR CHRIS AND DR XAND RETURN TO LONDON’S WEST END

FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON

OPERATION OUCH! LIVE ON STAGE

BASED ON THE HIT CBBC SHOW

OPENING AT THE WEST END’S LYRIC THEATRE

ON SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER 2021

TV’s favourite doctors return to London’s West End this December with a brand new show, Operation Ouch! Live on Stage – Not for the Squeamish, opening at the Lyric Theatre in London’s West End on Saturday 4 December 2021, with a press performance on Sunday 5 December at 11am. Tickets are on sale from 10am on 2 August 2021. The strictly limited season must end on 16 January 2022. 

Following three sell-out Australian tours, and a smash hit season in London’s West End Dr Chris and Dr Xand are back! The show is packed with all-new crazy experiments and amazing facts. The doctors explore the fascinating world of biology and show you the incredible things your body can do. Plus the doctors will also share their favourite bits from the award-winning TV show, including special video guest Dr Ronx.

Dr Chris and Dr Xand van Tulleken are identical twins who grew up in London and trained in medicine at Oxford University. They both still work in medicine: Dr Chris is based at University College London Hospital and Dr Xand is the Helen Hamlyn Senior Fellow at Fordham University’s Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs.  This work is done concurrently with their media work. Dr Chris, during 2020, shared his own personal experience of COVID-19 in the BBC One documentary Surviving the Virus: My Brother and Me. He also hosted two Horizon Coronavirus specials for BBC 2. Dr Xand, during 2020, hosted Morning Live and Healthcheck UK on BBC One. He also hosted the quick turnaround documentaries Coronovirus: How To Isolate Yourself, When Will Lockdown End? and How To Avoid A Second Wave for Channel 4. This summer, together they launched their first podcast, A Thorough Examination with Dr Chris and Dr Xand,which reached the top spot across a variety of podcast charts. Together they have appeared on shows such as Twinstitute, Planet Child, The Human Body: Secrets of Your Life Revealed, Frontline Doctors: Winter Migrant Crisis, Horizon, Is Binge Drinking Really That Bad?, Blow Your Mind, Horizon, Sugar V Fat, Which Doctor?, The Secret Life of Twins, Medicine Men Go Wild, as well as their hugely popular children’s series, Operation Ouch!, which has won two BAFTAs and had over eight series.

According to Xand, he is seven minutes older, half an inch shorter and five kilos heavier than his brother. Chris is seven minutes younger, half an inch taller and five kilos lighter – and for this, he believes he is twice the man Xand is!

Dr Ronx is an emergency medicine doctor by profession. They graduated from King’s College Medical School in 2011. Operation Ouch! on CBBC was their first TV presenting job. They recently presented The Truth Behind Boosting Your Immune System on BBC One and Are Women The Fitter Sex? on Channel 4. Their other TV appearances include The Unshockable Dr Ronx and Is Covid Racist?.

Operation Ouch! Live on Stage is written by Chris and Xand van Tulleken and directed by Peter Adams. It is presented by Andrew Kay and Margot Teele for Andrew Kay & Associates.

operationouchlive.com

Twitter: @OpOuchLive 

Instagram: @OperationOuchLive

Facebook: facebook.com/OperationOuchLive

LISTINGS INFORMATION

4 December 2021 – 16 January 2022

Lyric Theatre

29 Shaftesbury Avenue

London W1D 7ES

Box Office: 0330 333 4812

www.nimaxtheatres.com

Access Bookings: 0330 333 4815

Email: [email protected]

Tickets: from £15.00 (all tickets include a 65p restoration levy.)

Running Time:  70 mins, no interval

Recommended Age: 5+

Performance Schedule

4 Dec 11am

5 Dec 11am

6 Dec No Perf

7 Dec No Perf

8 Dec 11am

9 Dec No Perf

10 Dec 11am, 2pm

11 Dec 11am

12 Dec 11am

13 Dec No Perf

14 Dec No Perf

15 Dec No Perf

16 Dec No Perf

17 Dec 11am, 2pm

18 Dec 11am

19 Dec 11am

20 Dec 11am, 2pm, 5:30pm

21 Dec 11am

22 Dec 11am, 2pm

23 Dec 11am

24 Dec 11am

25 Dec No Perf

26 Dec No Perf

27 Dec 11am, 2pm

28 Dec 11am, 2pm

29 Dec 11am

30 Dec 11am, 2pm

31 Dec 11am

1 Jan 11am, 2pm, 5:30pm

2 Jan 11am

3 Jan 11am

4 Jan 11am, 2pm, 5:30pm

5 Jan No Perf

6 Jan No Perf

7 Jan No Perf

8 Jan 11am

9 Jan 11am

10 Jan No Perf

11 Jan No Perf

12 Jan No Perf

13 Jan No Perf

14 Jan No Perf

15 Jan 11am

16 Jan 11am

Yeadon Town Hall embraces the return of live entertainment with incredible shows including a Below the Deck party and black tie celebration evening.

It’s been a long eighteen months without live entertainment but, following the easing of restrictions in July, Yeadon Town Hall is delighted to be welcoming the local community back through its doors once more.

Though the Town Hall has continued to provide community entertainment such as local markets and its first wedding fair, it has only been able to run events at full capacity from 19th July. Its first show, Vinyl Richie’s Acapulco Disco Show, successfully went ahead at the end of July to a socially-distanced audience and will return to larger audiences later in the year.

Now the venue looks forward to its August events which are set to delight the local community!

First up is an exciting Below Deck Party with the Old Time Sailors on Saturday 21st August. The incredible ten piece band will take audience members back in time through an unforgettable trip to the 19th century. Singing along to classic sea shanties is encouraged during this fully immersive evening of live entertainment.

On 22nd August there’ll be a black tie event to celebrate the re-opening and restoration of Yeadon Town Hall. The show will star The Barricade Boys, West End legend Kerry Ellis and Britain’s Got Talent winner Jai McDowall all accompanied by an exceptional live band. Audiences can expect to hear a stunning range of showtunes from both West End and Broadway, crowd favourites and pop hits.

Throughout the pandemic, the Town Hall team have been working tirelessly to continue the building’s restoration project. This includes both interior and exterior work. The clock tower’s been fixed, the scaffolding has been taken down and the Main Auditorium has been beautifully redecorated. The celebration evening is the perfect way for the community to come together and appreciate the stunning local landmark and all the work that has gone into transforming it.

The Town Hall Tavern will be open throughout both events for audience members, with a huge variety of drinks on offer including rum cocktails for the sailors and fizz for those dressed to impress at the black tie celebration!

Jamie Hudson, CEO at Yeadon Town Hall, says: “It’s been a very long eighteen months, that’s for sure. We couldn’t be more delighted to throw open our doors once more and welcome the community back to Yeadon Town Hall. We have a spectacular range of shows and events coming up which we’re sure will provide some much-needed excitement and something fabulous for people to look forward to. Our 2021 events programme is now live on our website, so we hope audiences will take a look and support our wonderful community venue by booking tickets and coming to visit us again soon.”

September will also be a busy month at Yeadon Town Hall. Shows and events include: ABBA Party in Fernando’s Greek Taverna (selected dates between 10th – 24th September), Community Market (12th September) and An Evening of Clairvoyance with Medium Steve Holbrook (30th September).

Though COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, Yeadon Town Hall will continue to put extra safety measures in place to ensure that audiences feel confident returning back to the venue. This includes hand sanitisation stations and enhanced cleaning regimes, plus a range of socially distanced performances throughout the year’s events programme. The venue will continue to monitor and abide by government advice and regulations.

For more information and to book please visit the Yeadon Town Hall website at www.yeadontownhall.co.uk

SMASH HIT FAT FRIENDS – THE MUSICAL RETURNS TO LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

• KAY MELLOR RETURNS WITH FAT FRIENDS – THE MUSICAL AFTER HUGELY SUCCESSFUL PREMIERE AT THE GRAND IN 2017
• LEE MEAD RETURNS TO MUSICAL THEATRE IN STARRING ROLE
• TICKETS ON SALE TODAY (1 August 2021)

The weight is over! Following the hugely successful world premiere at Leeds Grand Theatre in 2017, Kay Mellor’s smash hit FAT FRIENDS – THE MUSICAL returns home from Tuesday 22 February – Saturday 5 March 2022.

With original music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber, the show will star Lee Mead as ‘Paul’ with further casting to be announced soon.

This will mark much-loved actor Lee Mead’sreturn to musical theatre after establishing himself as a TV favourite on Casualty and Holby City in the role of ‘Lofty’. Lee Mead said: “I’m so thrilled to be starring in Fat Friends – The Musical. I saw the show when it first ran and absolutely loved it, so I can’t wait to now play the lovelorn vicar, Paul. I’m so looking forward to performing live again to wonderful audiences around the country and working with the incredible and iconic Kay Mellor.”

This hugely entertaining musical is based on the hit ITV show Fat Friends, that starred James Corden and Ruth Jones. Fat Friends – The Musical reunites our favourite foodie friends as they are put through their Zumba paces at their local slimming club, whilst Kelly fantasises about fitting into the wedding dress of her dreams. This show of hope, humour, love and weight loss, delivers a fun night out full of laughter and encourages us all, as the final song sings, to Love Who You Are!  

After a tough year for all, friend of The Grand Kay Mellor feels that it’s the perfect time to bring this feel-good feast of a show back. Kay said “Issues of body image and online trolling are more pertinent today than ever and will resonate with people everywhere. Despite this, using song, dance and humour, I can guarantee that audiences will leave the show with a smile on their face and feeling better about themselves – something we all need right now. I’m delighted to be remounting Fat Friends – The Musical, thrilled to be working with the brilliant and talented Lee Mead and can’t wait for us to bring the show to so many fantastic venues around the UK and Ireland.”

Fat Friends – The Musical will be at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tue 22 February – Sat 5 March 2022

Book online at leedsheritagetheatres.com or call 0113 243 0808

Garrick Theatre, London 29 July 2021 (Tuck Shop West End until 8 August 2021)

Reviewed by Celia Armand Smith

4****

The Tuck Shop West End is a two week takeover of the Garrick Theatre showcasing drag and queer performers. Holly Stars, writer and star of Death Drop recently at the Garrick Theatre, headlines and comperes a night of comedy performances. The performers were Mary O’Connell, Glew, Charlie George, Indy Nile, Kate Butch, and Flo and Joan.

The evening consisted of stand up, drag, stand up in drag, musical stylings, dance, and a few impromptu performances by reluctant members of the audience. Each performer was uniquely surprising, meaning that you never knew what was coming or if you would be wrenched out of the audience to tell jokes in return for a can of chick peas.

The stand up from Charlie George and Mary O’Connell was hilarious and relatable, both doing bits on growing up, and life during the pandemic times. There were musical lip syncs from Glew giving us some physical comedy and a change in tempo. A highlight for me were Kate Butch trying to find a partner with a question and answer portion that was not dissimilar to the game Guess Who, followed by a live performance of Wuthering Heights in a huge glittery dress while gliding across the stage in some surprise heelys. The drag king Indy Nile performed a very good piece of spoken word which involved the audience whispering Semi Skimmed Milk loudly much to the amusement of everyone involved. Lastly we were treated to the fantastic musical comedy stylings of sister duo Flo and Joan which was the perfect way to round out a brilliant night.

As we start to come out of lockdowns and we are able to go into clubs and venues, this run of performances reminds us that after 18 months of being inside and watching TV and comedy on Zoom, that going out and laughing at people in person is as important for us as it is for them. The Holly Stars Comedy Club was a real tonic and I hope to see all of the performers again whether it be on a West End stage or a fringe venue

Garrick Theatre, London 30 July 2021 (Tuck Shop West End until 8 August 2021)

Reviewed by Celia Armand Smith

5*****

Gals Aloud is performing at the Garrick Theatre as part of the Tuck Shop West End two week run bringing the best of British drag to the West End.

Gals Aloud is a Girls Aloud tribute act starring Cheryl Hole as Cheryl, Herr as Nadine, Kitty Scott-Claus as Kimberly, Lydia L’Scabies as Sarah, and Ophelia Love as Nicola paying homage to the highs and lows of the iconic girl group Girls Aloud. The night featured sequins, neon bodysuits, dance routines, awkward TV interviews and appearances, and on stage mishaps.

In the lip synching tradition of drag, the group numbers and solo singles by each of the girls (gals) are seamlessly woven with bits of TV interviews, highlighting the ebb and flow of celebrity and post group life. Along with performing the group hits such as Love Machine and Biology with perfect choreography, each member of the group had their moment in the limelight. Cheryl Hole performed all of the classic Cheryl hits, including a revisit of the moment they met on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. The Nadine Coyle passport fiasco of 2002 was played out perfectly by Herr, as well as a live vocal stylings by Kitty Scott-Claus about Kimberly taking part in Shrek in the West End. Lydia L’Scabies was hilarious as Sarah, allowing for comedy and tragedy to sit side by side with an excellent rendition of I’ve Never Been To Me. Ophelia Love provided hilarious commentary and asides throughout and performed an unhinged yet unenthusiastic version of Beat My Drum which I am still laughing about 24 hours later. Then there was Javine, the “didn’t quite make it” member of the troupe. Tayris, who was a fabulous last minute replacement, came all the way from Brighton and learnt the songs on the train. This cast was perfect in their ability to walk the line between parody and adulation.

These five queens are the very best of the best, dealing with the merry post lockdown hecklers and revellers with ease and carrying on with dance routines despite getting their heels caught in the lights on the stage. It felt like going to a gig in the “before times” where even the most sour faced audience member was on their feet by the end. It was a massive, glitzy, chaotic, camp production and I loved it, and I very much look forward to the Gals Aloud arena tour.

Happy Idiot in association with Worthing Theatres and Museum
Subversive parody Not: Lady Chatterley’s Lover
announces UK tour
17th September – 21st November 2021

Happy Idiot Production’s subversive parody Not: Lady Chatterley’s Lover will bring a fresh twist to DH Lawrence’s classic story this autumn. Writer Lawrence Russell (Comedy Dinner Shows) has given this scandalous story the Mel Brooks treatment, with the help of acclaimed artists Simon Godwin (Associate Director, National Theatre), Stephen Harper (Told By An Idiot), and Laurence Pears (The Play That Goes Wrong). Comedy pedigree is also provided by script development partner Annie Sertich, a Groundlings main company member, whose alumni include Lisa Kudrow, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell and Melissa McCarthy.

Lord Chatterley returns to Wragby Hall confined to a wheelchair and clutching his secret. Despite her husband’s newfound impotence, a subject that everyone struggles to avoid, Lady Chatterley entertains the idea that one day they could have a child. But, as the couple drift apart, she embarks on a passionate and curiously experimental affair with Mellors, the estate gamekeeper. This laughter-filled parody will bring you high drama, high comedy and highly-raised eyebrows.

The cast includes Christina Baston (House on Haunted Hill, Pleasance Dome Edinburgh; Tales From Star City, Kings Head/The Tabard Theatre; As Wine Flows, US/Europe Tour), Wesley Griffith (Not: Lady Chatterley’s Lover, UK Tour; Importance of Being Earnest, Minack Theatre), Rebecca McClay (Private Lives of The Tudors, Yesterday; 50 Ways To Kill Your Lover, Discovery; Not: Lady Chatterley’s Lover, UK Tour) and Lawrence Russell (Eastenders, BBC; Superhoe, BBC, Breaking the Band, ITV).

Not: Lady Chatterley’s Lover is a saucy take which honours the original story, with some added surprise twists. There will be long contemplative looks into the middle distance, moments of touching drama, plenty of farce and a gentle stroke of innuendo. Happy Idiot’s inventive storytelling explores the novel’s themes of female sexuality, disability and loneliness, with the watertight pace and perfect comic timing which earned them five-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe 2017

Writer Lawrence Russell comments There are so many incredibly high-stakes moments in the book that, with a few twists, exaggerations and undercutting of the bleak themes, you can create countless laugh out loud moments. I’m really proud that we’ve been able to incorporate integrated audio description and creative captioning as standard for every show, meaning that those who have difficulties with their hearing or sight will get the jokes at the same time as everyone else! Taking a well-loved story and effortlessly moving between touching moments and perfectly timed comedy means the team have made something that shouldn’t be missed.

This production is made possible with the kind permission of Lesley Pollinger, Paper Lion Ltd as Trustee for The Estate of Frieda Lawrence Ravagli.

Garrick Theatre, London 28 July 2021 (Tuck Shop West End until 8 August 2021)

Reviewed by Celia Armand Smith

5*****

The Tuck Shop West End is a two week takeover of the Garrick Theatre showcasing drag and queer performers. Joe Black is a Brighton based cabaret and drag performer, most recently seen worldwide on the stage of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK being shouted at for wearing an H&M dress. Dark and seedy cabaret clubs in old Berlin was the setting and the vibe rather than an auditorium of socially distanced revellers all in masks. There was so much packed into an hour and a half that it is hard to summarise what I witnessed, from burlesque stripteases, saxophones and kazoos, to a raucous foot stamping sing a long of classic songs. There was something for everyone.

The first half started with a Chaka Khan inspired striptease to I’m Every Woman by Demi Noire, followed by a saxophone rendition of Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing by Snow White Trash in a floor length glittery gown and towering blue wig. Joe Black entered in an enormous feather boa to which she said “you’re glamorous but you’re in the way”, and dropped it on the floor. Marlene Dietrich style singing with piano, ukulele, and kazoo accompaniment, as well as ordering Alice the stage manager to retrieve more wine from the dressing room all made for a fabulous and raucous first half.

The second half started with a rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody by our compere Alfie Ordinary, who this time, was wearing a gold sequin cape edged with white fur. Demi Noire once again provided a hilarious striptease to MC Hammer, complete with tassels not only on the front but also on the back. To add to the truly underground bavarian bier halle feel of the evening, Cherry Shakewell, dressed as an Oktoberfest style maiden, shook, whirled, twirled to a high tempo yodel. Joe Black came back on and gave a polka rendition of Bing Bang Bong from Drag Race UK and pulled Tia Kofi (a fellow contestant) onto the stage to join in. Spice Girls and Britney Spears medleys, as well as a terrifying and hilarious version of When I’m Cleaning Windows rounded off the evening.

The singing and dancing were of course fantastic, however the best thing about the show was that you could really tell how grateful and delighted every performer was to be not only on a west end stage, but on any stage after a year of being on computer screens or behind protective screens. There were moments of true sincerity and poignancy as they performed and thanked everyone for making it happen. It was also joyous and so vital to see queer arts and artists being placed centrally for all to see.

WELCOME BACK TO THE ROARING TWENTIES!

THE GREAT GATSBY

TO REOPEN IN THE HEART OF THE WEST END THIS AUTUMN

TICKETS ON SALE NOW, BOOKING UNTIL 2 JANUARY 2022

Immersive Everywhere – led by Olivier Award-winning producers Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook – will bring back London’s longest running immersive theatrical production this autumn. THE GREAT GATSBY, created and directed by Alexander Wright, will reopen in the heart of the West End, playing at Gatsby’s Mansion at Immersive LDN from 16 September, with a press night on Friday 24 September (marking F Scott’s Fitzgerald’s 125^th birthday).

Welcome back to the roaring twenties! Jay Gatsby invites you to one of his infamous parties. the champagne flows and as the drama unfolds the man himself will be the perfect host. As invites go, this is the hottest ticket in town. A hedonistic world of red hot rhythms, bootleg liquor and pure jazz age self-indulgence awaits. Dress to the nines and immerse yourself in this heart racing adaption of F Scott Fitzgerald’s seminal tale.

THE GREAT GATSBY– forced to close in March 2020 by the pandemic, re-opened under socially distanced conditions and with changes to the show to incorporate extra safety measures at the beginning of October 2020. The show was then forced to close in November due to the subsequent lockdown.

Tickets for THE GREAT GATSBY will be available from 16 September until 2 January 2022, and are on sale now via www.immersivegatsby.com.  The production – which returns to its original pre-pandemic format, and with the venue at full capacity – will nevertheless be following all current government guidelines and Covid safety measures. Full casting will be announced asap.

Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook said “Gatsby is back! After a herculean effort of pathfinding for the sector throughout 2020 we are elated to be bringing one of London’s landmark productions back to the stage. We are thrilled to be reviving this production in its original, effervescent glory and incredibly grateful for the hard work and never-ending belief of our team. It is most certainly time for our audiences to enjoy the roaring twenties.”

IMMERSIVE LDN has been granted the use of Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre’s See It Safely mark. The mark certifies that the venue is complying with the latest Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, to ensure the safety of all staff and audiences. 

Olivier Award winning producers Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook, who are currently co-producing the immersive production of DOCTOR WHO TIME FRACTURE – launched a new company in 2019, IMMERSIVE EVERYWHERE, entirely dedicated to developing and staging theatre-led immersive experiences, and IMMERSIVE | LDN is the newest of their network of venues, which will house cafes, bars and rehearsal and workshop spaces to help the development of new work.

IMMERSIVE | LDN is a 32,000sq ft historic building in the heart of Mayfair, which was home to the Queen Victoria’s Rifles Association until 2017. It includes three floors of immersive theatre and event spaces designated for performance, live gaming, events, escape rooms and private parties. For information about programming and venue hire visit www.immersiveldn.com

First conceived in 2015 when director Alexander Wright and producer Brian Hook were running The Fleeting Arms – a pop arts and community pub in an abandoned building in York, the show then ran in York in 2016 with a parallel production in Sheffield, and was produced by the Guild of Misrule . The Great Gatsby first came to London as part of VAULT Festival in 2017 and sold out before the show opened. Since then the show has run in Wales in co-production with Theatr Clwyd, at Halifax’s Square Chapel, and at Castle Howard in North Yorkshire. All the while the show has played night after night at Gatsby’s Drugstore in London SE1, inviting audiences into the hedonistic world of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s extraordinary tale, and in 2018 it became the UK’s longest running immersive production.

Amie Burns Walker and Oliver Tilney are Associate Directors. Choreography is by Holly Beasley-Garrigan, with MJ Lee as Assistant Choreographer, design by Casey Jay Andrews, costume design by Heledd Rees, sound design by Phil Grainger and lighting design by Rachel Sampley. The original score was composed and produced by Glen Brown and Tendai Humphrey Sitima, with arrangement and additional composition by David Sims. The original production was created by Holly Beasley-Garrigan, Amie Burns Walker, Hannah Davies, Phil Grainger, Michael Lambourne, Thomas Maller and Oliver Tilney.

This production of The Guild of Misrule’s THE GREAT GATSBY is produced by Immersive Everywhere, with co-producers Gavin Kalin Productions and Glynis Henderson Productions, with Theatr Clwyd and We Culture Connects as Associate Producers.

VENUE SOCIAL @ldn_immersive

SHOW SOCIAL @immersivegatsby

www.immersivegatsby.com

Turbine Theatre, London – until 21 August 2021

Reviewed by Alun Hood

3***

When Kevin Elyot’s gay tragicomedy of manners premiered at the Royal Court in the early 90s it felt simultaneously like a full stop, or at least semi-colon, on the tortured AIDS dramas that preceded it, and a valuable forward-looking acknowledgment that gay men (note not gay PEOPLE…this is an uncompromisingly male-centric play) aren’t living a second tier version of their straight counterparts, and are capable of forming long term relationships, however toxic. In the wake of TV’s epoch-making It’s A Sin, which occupies a similar historical timeframe and the same sexual if not social milieu, My Night With Reg feels relevant and familiar, even to people who aren’t old enough to have lived through that tumultuous time.

Elyot’s writing remains magnificent: a keenly observed, almost Coward-esque opening sequence depicting spinsterish, old-before-his-time Guy showing off his spiffy new pad to his hunky, former Uni crush John and flamboyant best friend Daniel, is a High Comedy mini-masterpiece of pent up longing and social anxiety, before darkening into scenes of considerable distress and misery, yet still manage to be grimly funny, as the AIDS catastrophe bites into this trio of long standing friends, and their assorted hangers on and casual flings. The brilliance of the play lies in the exquisitely drawn characters, the bitter reality of much of it’s humour and a clear-eyed, not always positive but never judgemental, understanding of human relationships, specifically gay ones that sit outside heteronormative conventions. It is this astonishing accuracy, as well as it’s compassion and comedy, that saves Elyot’s text from seeming like a mere period piece.

Although I love the play I wish I could be more enthusiastic about Matt Ryan’s production of it, which skims the surface where it should cut deep, flattening so much of the rueful comedy and the heartbreak. It also feels miscast in a number of key roles. The addition of an interval after an all-too-fleet first scene may do wonders for the Turbine’s bar trade but disrupts the flow (Roger Michell’s terrific original staging at the Royal Court ran straight through), though this could be remedied somewhat by adding a second interval after the quietly shocking but brilliant middle section, as the play is very much like a piece of music in three movements.

Paul Keating is a fine actor, possessed of a haunting fragility and formidable emotional intelligence, and he does sterling work as home-making, torch-carrying Guy: the scene where he confesses all to James Bradwell’s likably straight-forward painter-decorator Eric is beautifully handled. As the endlessly lusted-after John, a somewhat wooden Edward M Corrie feels too downbeat from the outset, and Gerard McCarthy struggles to project the requisite charisma that an Alpha gay male like international art dealer Daniel -a human maelstrom of double entendre, outrageousness but genuine warmth, who should drive every scene he’s in- needs to have. There is little sense either of the central trio having been friends for years, with all the affection and joshing that goes with that history, nor of them being from a noticeably different social class from the other characters, and Elyot’s beautiful piece suffers as a result of it.

Stephen K Amos is great fun as foul-mouthed, priapic bus driver Benny but Alan Turkington is way too attractive and vital to convince as his hilariously uptight and dour mismatched partner, which loses a lot of comedy mileage. Lee Newby’s elegantly cluttered set is convincing, and evocatively lit by Rachel Sampley.

It’s always a pleasure to re-encounter a script this good, and while the late Mr Elyot wrote several other fine plays, this is his masterpiece. Anybody encountering it for the first time even in a production as patchy as this one will know that they’re watching something special.