British entertainment legend Gary Wilmot will make his playwriting debut with While They Were Waiting, opening at Upstairs at the Gatehouse from Thursday 26th February to Sunday 22nd March 2026.
Written by and starring Wilmot, the world premiere explores the universal experience of waiting, turning life’s pauses into a sharply funny and profoundly human story.
The production reunites Wilmot with acclaimed actor and comedian Steve Furst, best known for Little Britain and his iconic comic persona Lenny Beige. Together, they bring to life Mulberry and Bix, two strangers who meet in a mysterious waiting room and embark on a surreal, thought-provoking journey of companionship and connection.
Wilmot said:
“I first got the idea for While They Were Waiting seven years ago. I was sharing a dressing room at the National Theatre with actor Steve Furst. We were at the technical stage of that production which meant long periods of time just waiting to be called. I’m always looking for things to inspire new projects, and the simplicity of how we wait seemed worth exploring.”
Produced by Chromolume, the award-winning in-house company at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, the show promises humour, heart, and rich physical comedy, proving that extraordinary moments often happen when nothing seems to be happening at all.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
