REVIEW: BOYS IN THE BUFF @ GOLDEN GOOSE THEATRE

Neill Kovacic-Clarke
12 minutes ago
3 min read

🎭 Boys in the Buff

📍 Golden Goose Theatre, 146 Camberwell New Road, London, SE5 0RR

🗓 Tuesday 16th December 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A NAKEDLY BRILLIANT CELEBRATION!

It's the season pf pantos and glitter, but at the Golden Goose Theatre, LAMCO Productions is serving up a different kind of festive treat - one that's a little less "he's behind you" and a lot more... well, in front of you!

BOYS IN THE BUFF is a wonderfully cheeky, high-energy musical comedy cabaret that tackles the weighty topic of body image, with a skip in its step... and very little else!

From the moment the show kicks off, the energy is infectious. The script by Chris Burgess is nimble and packed with witty gags, yet it doesn't shy away from the poignant realities of our photoshopped world. We meet four "boys" - Luca, Phil, Richard, and Dan - each grappling with their own insecurities, from school bullying to the pressures of the gym.

Tish Weinman is absolutely sensational as the hostess Maxie. Commanding the stage with a seasoned panache, they marshal the boys towards the inevitable nude finale with both style and a ruthless comedic timing that had the audience cackling. Their vocals were also noticeably incredibly powerful.

Among the boys, Adam Norton delivers a pitch-perfect performance as the nervous Phil, whose reluctance to undress provides a touching, emotional anchor to the show's frothy fun. Rowan Armitt-Brewster is equally engaging as the sardonic Dan, connecting easily with the audience through a well-controlled vocal performance.

Liam Bradbury is slick and charismatic as Richard, but for me the absolute standout performance came from Max Rizzo as Luca. His confident performance was mesmerising, and I fell in love with his wonderful vocals, which were full of soul and depth.

The choreography by Robbie O'Reilly is a triumph, featuring sparkling routines where the cast skillfully manipulates hats and towels to keep things "respectable" until the very end! Whether they were performing The Fat Jab Rag, Size Doesn't Matter, or dancing in red heels for Disco in Heels, the physicality was impressive and utterly believable. The execution from the cast was flawless too.

As someone who loves their technical theatre, I was particularly impressed with the lighting design from Richard Lambert. What he achieved in such a small space really was incredible, and really lifted the production.

While the casting is perhaps a bit more "traditionally fit" than the show's message of body diversity might suggest, there is no denying the talent on display. By the time the boys finally shed their insecurities - and their underwear - in the liberating finale, it feels like a genuine celebration of self-acceptance.

BOYS IN THE BUFF is a brisk, warm-hearted, and delightfully irreverent night out. It leaves you feeling a little kinder towards yourself, and definitely wanting more. Bravo boys!

The show continues performances at the Golden Goose Theatre until Saturday 10th January. Click here to secure your tickets for this full-frontal festive treat!

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of Boys in the Buff was gifted by LAMBCO Productions who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.