Celebrated British entertainer Gary Wilmot is set to make his highly anticipated debut as a playwright in London. His new work, While They Were Waiting, will receive its world premiere at the acclaimed Off West End venue, Upstairs at the Gatehouse, in late February 2026.
From Stage Star to Playwright
Wilmot, an Olivier Award-nominated star with an MBE for services to drama and charity, is a beloved figure with over four decades in entertainment. Known for roles in Me and My Girl and The Wizard of Oz, he now steps behind the pen. The play draws inspiration from a universal experience: the act of waiting. Wilmot transforms this simple concept into a sharply funny and profound exploration of life's in-between moments.
The production marks a creative reunion for Wilmot and acclaimed actor and comedian Steve Furst. Furst, famous for Little Britain and his comic persona Lenny Beige, brings over 30 years of stage and screen experience to the project. Together, they will lead this inventive and absurdist two-hander.
An Unlikely Friendship Forged in a Waiting Room
The plot centres on Mulberry, a no-nonsense loner who has perfected waiting as a pastime. His ritual is disrupted in a mysterious waiting room by the arrival of Bix, a curious simpleton. What starts as an inconvenience evolves into a deep and hilariously unlikely friendship.
Through a series of witty, surreal, and bizarre encounters, filled with clever dialogue and physical comedy, the play contemplates companionship and where we find meaning. It argues that the quiet moments we often overlook can fundamentally shape us.
Inspired by Real-Life Waiting
Wilmot revealed the idea was born seven years ago while sharing a dressing room with Steve Furst at the National Theatre. During the technical stage of a production, they experienced long periods of waiting. "I'm always looking for things to inspire new projects," Wilmot commented, "and the simplicity of how we wait seemed worth exploring."
Blending humour, heart, and surrealism, While They Were Waiting promises to be an imaginative celebration of human connection. It is produced by Chromolume, the award-winning in-house production company of Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
