Gary Wilmot and Steve Furst Premiere Debut Play While They Were Waiting
The British entertainment legends explore life’s pauses in a quietly absurd, sharply funny Off West End production.
For an artist whose career spans four decades of music, television, and theatre, Gary Wilmot’s move into playwriting might feel inevitable in retrospect. His debut, While They Were Waiting, opens at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in late February, and it’s a reminder that even the simplest aspects of life — in this case, waiting — can be fertile ground for comedy and reflection.
Sharing the stage is Steve Furst, actor and comedian best known for his long-running comic persona Lenny Beige. Furst’s timing and physical comedy complement Wilmot’s performance, and their interplay forms the beating heart of the production. The idea for the play goes back seven years, born during long backstage waits at the National Theatre, where the two found inspiration in the quiet pauses between cues.
The story unfolds in a mysterious waiting room, where Mulberry, a no-nonsense loner, has turned waiting into a personal pastime. Enter Bix, a curious and wide-eyed newcomer, and what begins as an inconvenience quickly becomes a strange, funny, and unexpectedly human exploration of friendship and connection.
Directed by Sydney Stevenson and produced by Chromolume, the show blends humour, heart, and a touch of the surreal.
While They Were Waiting runs from 26 February to 22 March 2026, with press night on 3 March. Tickets are priced at £28, with preview performances at £20, available via Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
