What A Gay Day! - The Larry Grayson Story at Jack Studio Theatre Review
Written by Penny for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
What a Gay Day tells the story of one of the 20th Century’s most popular primetime TV personalities, whose shows were watched by over 20 million people during the 1970s and 80s. Despite this, Larry Grayson is not remembered as well today as his contemporaries like Tommy Cooper, Morecambe and Wise or Bruce Forsyth, but his story is fascinating, hugely entertaining and offers a strong insight into society at the time. Larry Grayson was a gay man at a time when homosexuality was illegal, his act full of camp innuendo, and this inevitably impacted on his success.
This one-man show, presented by the Bridge House Theatre tells Larry’s story through anecdotes that take us back through the decades, interspersed with the sort of routines that made him famous and, for some, a rather controversial figure. Its initial premise is that Larry has been summoned from “The Other Side” (no, not ITV) by a Medium, getting an easy laugh before his tale begins.
Written following a suggestion from Luke Adamson, the Bridge House Theatre’s Artistic Director, (who also plays Larry Grayson), Tom Connery’s script is well researched and offers a well-balanced mix of Grayson’s personal and professional history, peppered with his trademark camp comedy – full of catchphrases and characters like “Peek a Boo Pete”, the window cleaner with a dirty chamois, “Self-Raising Fred” the baker and probably his most memorable creations, Slack Alice and Everard. These two recur throughout the performance, linking to real people in Grayson’s life, Everard’s back story in particular providing a very emotional revelation.
The set appears cluttered with items of clothing and a few props lying around. As the play progresses, these are used to represent the significant figures in Larry’s life, packed neatly away into a suitcase once their part of the story is told. The care with which Grayson treats these items shows the importance of these influences in his life, the same amount of care given to his much loved family as to his icon, Judy Garland.
Alex Donald’s strong direction means that the show runs with an excellent pace, there’s a lot to pack in but nothing feels rushed. Attitudes towards homosexuality are addressed – including audience complaints about Grayson’s act and the Gay Liberation Front protesting his camp stage persona – definitely having a negative impact on his rise to stardom. It feels fitting however that these challenges are not given too much airtime. It is immediately clear that Larry Grayson would not change who he was to appease anybody and this came across loud and proud.
Playing Larry Grayson, Luke Adamson gives an exceptional performance. Although there is no immediate strong physical resemblance, he has perfected Grayson’s tone and mannerisms. Within a couple of minutes, this doesn’t feel like watching an actor; we are listening to Grayson himself. He often breaks the fourth wall to delight audience members with a light-hearted put down and knowing look. Adamson is a great storyteller, engaging, clear and bringing a light and shade to his performance that keeps the audience gripped – moving with ease from telling us about a heartbreaking emotional low back to the highs of being on stage doing what he loved – making people happy.
The story of Larry Grayson, a little boy from the West Midlands who wanted to be a star, putting on shows in his living room for long-suffering but always supportive friends and family, and then going on to star at the Palladium might sound like a one off … but the parallels with the wonderful Rob Madge and their story (My Son’s a Queer But What Can You Do) show that no matter the decade, it’s the people you have in your corner who matter.
What a Gay Day is a perfect nostalgia trip for anybody who remembers Larry Grayson. If you don’t remember him, it’s as entertaining as it is informative, a heart-warming story of a man who was unashamedly himself, and who never forgot the people whose support and love gave him the strength of character to carry on and to shine.
What a Gay Day! - The Larry Grayson Story runs at the Brockley Jack Studio until Saturday 30th August. Find out more and book tickets here.
★★★★★
