REVIEW: WHILE THEY WERE WAITING @ UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE

🎭 While They Were Waiting

📍 Upstairs at the Gatehouse, 1 North Road, Highgate Village, London, N6b4BD

🗓 Tuesday 3rd March 2026

⭐️ 4 Stars

WILMOT'S WAIT-Y DEBUT!

Well, talk about a theatrical treat! It's not every day you get two absolute titans of the stage popping up in a room above a pub in Highgate. Gary Wilmot - national treasure, let's be honest - has turned his hand to playwriting, and his debut play WHILE THEY WERE WAITING is a proper little gem that's as poignant as it is peculiar.

The story introduces us to Mulberry, a self-proclaimed professional "waiter" - not of the food variety, but a man who has made an art form out of hanging around. He's stationed by a mysterious door, joined by the inquisitive Bix, and the two embark on a Beckett-esque journey through the absurdity of life's pauses.

Seeing Gary Wilmot and Steve Furst together in such an intimate space is worth the ticket price alone. The chemistry is electric, and the calibre of acting on display is just immense. When you see these two names on the same billing, you know you're in for a good night's entertainment.

For the most part, the narrative is incredibly engaging, pulling you into this strange, purgatorial world with ease.

I will say, I felt that it lost its way slightly in the middle. The comedy elements began to feel a bit long-winded, and leant into an "end of the pier" style of humour that felt a bit dated. There were a few audible groans from the audience around me during a couple of the more laboured gags.

Also, I'm usually pretty sharp at spotting a twist, and I'll admit I clocked the "big reveal" early on - although this didn't ruin it for me.

However, my biggest bug - and it's a frustrating one - was with Sydney Stevenson's direction. Upstairs at the Gatehouse is a wonderful thrust stage, but it was as if the direction seemed to forget the audience was wrapped around three sides. I was sitting on the side, and for huge chunks of the evening, I was literally staring at the back of one actor while the other one was completely obscured, something I haven't experienced in this sort of venue before. It's a real shame, especially as the script actually mentions the "fourth wall" at one point! It made me wonder if this was simply the wrong venue for this specific staging.

That said, the production values are high. Hannah Danson's set and Simon Jackson's lighting designs are atmospheric and punchy. But the real "chef's kiss" moment is the ingenious ending. I won't spoil it, but a fun encore in a play? Why not! It ensured that the entire audience were sent into the Highgate night with a massive grin on our faces.

This is a cracking debut from Wilmot that proves that some things are definitely worth waiting for.

WHILE THEY WERE WAITING continues performances at Upstairs at the Gatehouse until Sunday 22nd March. Click here to grab yourself some tickets.

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 While They Were Waiting was gifted by Chloe Nelkin Consulting 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.

CAST:

Gary Wilmot as Bix; Steve Furst as Mulberry

RUNNING TIME (approx):

1 hour 30 minutes, with no interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Occasional bad language; Themes of illness and death

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