You’re Not in the West End Now, Hen and Chickens Theatre
We’re two weeks into our Camden Fringe 2025 previews, publishing new interviews each and every day of the month. So at the almost halfway point, are we on target to reach 100 by the end of the month? Of course we are, we’ve published over 50 so far, and we reckon just as many still to come. You can find them all here.
You’re Not in the West End Now promises to be a chaotic journey through Musical Theatre’s greatest hits. The creator and star, Katie McGarry describes it as a love letter with a twist, from small town Medway chav to the twinkling lights of London via a turbulent love life, failed career, becoming a single mum and temporarily losing her mind.
Katie took time out from preparations to explain what audiences can expect when the show comes to Hen and Chickens Theatre on 7,8, 14 and 15 August, with tickets available here.
What can audiences expect from the show?
A whirlwind stomp around some of musical theatre’s most beloved songs, rewritten in a dazzling blend of comedy and raw relatability, taking the audience on a rollercoaster ride from small town Medway chav to the twinkling lights of London and back again. It’s an exploration of what it means to dream big, fall hard and pick yourself back up again and again and again!
Is Camden Fringe going to be the show’s first time on stage, or have you already performed elsewhere?
I scratched some raw material last year, but I’m really excited to finally be bringing the full version of it to life for it’s Camden Fringe debut back at the Hen and Chickens, where I first performed over 15 years ago!
What was your inspiration behind the show?
It primarily comes from my unhealthy attachment and codependent relationship with musical theatre, growing up wearing out my VHS of Hey Mr Producer (and my parent’s nerves) and recreating the music video of Chess playing both Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickinson at the same time, alone in my bedroom, whilst all my mates were off going to Take That concerts. 25 years later, and nothing has changed, and as I was singing the shower, I kept imagining some of my favourite characters from those shows in everyday situations in the real world. I imagined Eponine wandering the street at night stalking a guy who already had a girlfriend, or Grizabella on a night out in da club, or what it would feel like if I were indeed a rich man… and what that would look like when you take the glamour and romanticism out of it and it just made me laugh. Then I went on this incredible week long residency with the incredible Bryony Kimmings all about creating autobiographical solo shows, and there my personal story met my silly idea and a show was born!
How long have you been working on the show?
I started mucking around with some of the songs back in 2018 for Screaming Alley Cabaret down in Ramsgate and a character started to emerge, but didn’t quite know what it was yet. It wasn’t until last year, where I was lucky enough to be awarded a DYCP, that I really started to scratch some raw material at the Phoenix Arts Club and then again at the Tom Thumb Theatre in Margate.
How challenging has this role been for you?
Creating this show has been a huge challenge and joy to work on. Bringing my personal story into the public domain and baring parts of yourself like that on stage is a really vulnerable thing to do and has taken a while to get there to feel ready to do that. But to be able to tell that very painful story in the form of a very big, loud, musical with comedy energy was really helpful and just reiterated why it’s such a powerful art form.
Are there any plans for what comes next after the show has finished its run – for you or the show?
I’d really love to take it on a regional UK tour and hit up people who don’t necessarily think musical theatre is for them, or who wouldn’t normally go see a West End show or who can’t easily access it.
Who would play you in the Hollywood adaptation of your future autobiography?
All of the women from Sex & The City, on a confusing rotation and no explanation given.
If your show had a soundtrack what songs would definitely be on it?
Come see the show and you’ll find out!
If budget or reality was not an issue, what’s the one piece of scenery/set you’d love to have in your show?
A fly machine… so I can defy gravity
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received during your career, and how has it influenced your work on this show?
‘Feel the fear and do it anyway!’ It’s what has got me through every moment of doubt and insecurity. Do it anyway, do it scared, do it even if it’s not perfect, just do it, because if you don’t then it will always be a what if. I have had so many what if moments in my life and I guess that is what the show is all about as well. So come see it!
Thanks Katie, it sounds like a fascinating by someone who loves musical theatre, for people who love musical theatre.
You’re Not in the West End Now plays at the Hen and Chickens Theatre on 7, 8, 14 and 15 August.
