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Still here: While They Were Waiting - Upstairs At The Gatehouse

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As the song goes, time heals everything. Or as another song says, it's time after time. Yet waiting—for a moment, a minute, or even a while—can feel like a chore. In Gary Wilmot’s slightly absurd and silly While They Were Waiting, the focus is on waiting and wordplay. No opportunity is missed to find more than one meaning in what is said. A debate arises about the difference between a smidge and a whisker. There's a playful riff on how you can be here and over there at the same time, depending on your standpoint. If this piece has a point at all, it depends on what you find funny. The concept of waiting-related language is, in itself, amusing, and there is plenty to laugh about in this show. It’s currently playing at Upstairs at the Gatehouse . The premise is simple: Mulbery (Steve Furst) arrives for an appointment and is kept waiting. What the appointment is for, we are not clear about but he is waiting for a yellow door to open. Nobody answers when he rings. He’s joined by th...

The sex is in the beat: Kinky boots @kinkybootsuk


I finally caught up with Kinky Boots, which is currently playing at the Adelphi theatre in London. The show is the Full Monty meets Priscilla Queen of the Desert. It's a show with terrific songs, great cast and fabulous outfits.

However the story is a bit predicable. It derives its formula plot from the film of the same name. But thankfully as an added addition are a collection of songs written by Cindy Lauper that range from folk, pop and disco. On top of this are some very impressive (albeit kinky) boots.
Set in a shoe factory in Northampton, father hopes to give his shoe factory over to his son Charlie, but he would rather go to London and do marketing. But when his father unexpectedly dies, Charlie finds himself running a shoe factory that has been losing money for years.

A chance encounter in London with a drag queen named Lola gives him the idea to tap the the niche market of men who like to wear high heels. Cue drag queens descending on Northampton to put a bit a glamour in their lives (and into the dreary shoe factory set).

There are some strong performances from the cast. Matt Henry as Lola steals the show (and gets the best numbers) as the drag queen with a heart of gold, and an eye for designing sex in heels. Killian Donnelly as Charlie gets to sing some soaring ballads although has the thankless task of navigating a rather vague character that has to be slightly bossy yet ultimately lovely.

Amy Lennox as Lauren, who gives Charlie the idea to find a niche, is a hoot as the factory girl falling for the boss.

There is little subtlety in this piece. People averse to musicals should be wary as characters burst into song for no real reason.

But in the end the boots do look pretty good. Albeit some wear it better than others...


Kinky Boots is playing at the Adelphi Theatre in London.

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎



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