British entertainment legend Gary Wilmot premieres debut play WHILE THEY WERE WAITING

Written by and starring celebrated entertainer Gary Wilmot (Me and My Girl, West End; The Wizard of Oz, West End/UK tour), While They Were Waiting will make its world premiere, and Wilmot’s playwriting London debut, at the award-winning Off West End venue Upstairs at the Gatehouse from 26 February-22 March.

Drawing inspiration from one of life’s most universal experiences – waiting – Wilmot crafts a sharply funny, profoundly human exploration of what happens in the moments between events, and why those pauses matter. The production reunites Wilmot with acclaimed actor and comedian Steve Furst (Little Britain, BBC; My Fair Lady, Curve), a performer widely recognised for over 30 years for his much-loved comic persona Lenny Beige, and whose career has spanned stage, film television and radio.

In this inventive and absurdist production, Wilmot and Furst get to flex their comedic muscles in a contemplation on the importance of companionship, connection and the unexpected places where meaning is found.

The story follows no-nonsense loaner Mulberry, who has turned “waiting” into a personal pastime. Taking place in a mysterious waiting room, he is unexpectedly joined by curious simpleton, Bix. What begins as an inconvenience soon becomes a thought-provoking journey as the two men forge a deep — and hilariously unlikely — friendship through a series of witty, surreal, and increasingly bizarre encounters. Filled with clever dialogue and rich physical comedy, While They Were Waiting examines how the quiet moments we often overlook can shape who we are.

Writer and performer Gary 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.

Blending humour, heart, and a touch of the surreal, While They Were Waiting transforms the everyday act of waiting into an imaginative, uplifting celebration of human connection — proving that sometimes, the most extraordinary moments happen when nothing seems to be happening at all.

For more info on While They Were Waiting, please click here.