Review: What a Gay Day!, Bridge House Theatre

Larry Grayson, one of the most popular light entertainment TV presenters of the late 1970s and early 80s, was famous for his camp mannerisms, music hall humour, the catchphrase “Shut That Door” and spectacles on a chain.  A prime time Saturday night host, he entertained audiences with a stand-up act littered with anecdotes about his imaginary friends, all with names like EverArd, Apricot Lil and Slack Alice. 

Born in 1923, Grayson was already in his mid-forties when homosexuality between two consenting adults over the age of 21 was legalised and as a result his charm lay in his sexual ambiguity. He never openly named his desires, simply choosing to infer with a sideways glance or a pursed lip. For a generation he was a generous gossip, someone who, despite a difficult upbringing, was determined to be a ‘star’. 

What a Gay Day! opens with a large sheet-covered object in the centre of the room. It is completely still. I considered that it might be the performer but got distracted in observing the eclectic packed crowd that awaited the performance with palpable excitement. The object is, of course Grayson, played confidently and hilariously by Luke Adamson. A clairvoyant has determined that all Grayson needs to do is tell his story, warts and all, in order to be released from his current liminal state. And tell his story he does, with a wink and much camp physicality, engaging with the audience, and repeatedly using the famous catchphrase. The audience love him. A consummate storyteller, we are instantly drawn into his life.

Tim Connery’s writing is sublime: the script offers the audience reminders of what they may have forgotten, whilst not shying away from the difficulties Grayson experienced, nor dwelling on them either. Born William Sulley White he was adopted as a baby but much loved by his new family. He maintained regular contact with his birth mother although for years did not know who she was. Deemed Remedial given his lack of interest in traditional academic matters, his life was instead dedicated to pursuing any opportunity to dress up and entertain. There were people close to him who died, and the grief he continued to feel for those is clear, but those moments are never mawkish, simply acknowledged with dignity and honoured with a gentle caress of something that was a gift from the deceased.

The set is small, as you would expect from a 50-seater black box, but a suitcase with a variety of props allows for dress-up, of which Adamson takes full advantage. The opening device with the clairvoyant feels clumsy but something is needed to start the story. The scenery at times is a bit chaotic as the back curtain is hoisted but these are small grumbles. 

Adamson, as Grayson, is confident and assured. From the moment he takes the stage his energy transforms the room and we follow every word and movement. His clear joy in becoming Grayson is infectious. It’s true that there could be more light and shade in his performance, particularly in the moments when grief enters the story, but his ability to capture every nuance and physically become the character is unparalleled.  The evening’s audience was full of those who remembered Grayson and were rewarded with an impressive repertoire worthy of a 1970s prime time TV slot, but we also got to understand more about the man, his loves and his loyalties, which was heart-warming. I hope other demographics get to see this, less to reminisce, but more to appreciate the easy, cross-generational joy of that style of entertainment. 

Written by: Tim Connery
Directed by: Alex Donald

What A Gay Day! has completed its current run.