In Conversation With Graham Norton | Waterloo East Theatre

‘How can I be true to myself when I have no idea who I am?’ seems an enormous thought for 15 year old Mark as he is exploring his place in the world in Simon Perrott’s In Conversation with Graham Norton, but it’s the reality for so many queer teenagers today. We all know our adolescent years are amongst the most confusing of our lives, especially knowing who to speak to.

In this one hour monologue, Mark confides in the one and only Graham Norton. Who hasn’t imagined sitting on that sofa putting the world to rights? Staged at the intimate Waterloo East Theatre, with direction from Gerald Armin, it’s a heartfelt and entertaining journey of the troubles and turmoils Mark faces in these crucial years of discovery...but with too many moments of depth and little momentum to get there, it lacks an emotive punch.

Within this monologue we meet Mark (Jamie Kaye) at battle with himself regarding all things school, family and most poignantly, his sexuality. He states from the get go that he is ‘never going to know for certain I’m gay’ and his way to deal with such is to chat with a signed photo of Graham Norton, after all who is a better listener? It’s a great premise but it doesn’t deliver. I sensed Kaye could have been chatting to anyone with the photo not visible due to the angles chosen.

Holding the stage for an hour is no easy task and Kaye deserves praise for his energy and commitment with some lovely moments nearing the end when addressing the audience. However, the monologue as a whole flops between different moments and themes quickly with little room for Kaye to provide variation in his acting choices, as a result it all feels a little one noted and when we reach pinnacle moments the stakes do not feel earnt.

Perrott’s writing is lively with some great comedic hits and Armin’s direction is effective if a little ‘safe’ perhaps. I think this production could shine with a little more risk and the active decision to relish in the messiness that is teenage life.

With Chappell Roan posters and vinyls from Donna Summer to Benson Boone, the set design shines in that of showcasing the music and interests of Mark, almost oozing his energy. It’s wonderful and with the subtle shifts in lighting (Johnathan Simpson) feeling appropriate for the thoughts flashing through Mark’s head, you get a real sense of his inner monologue as well as the projected thoughts to the audience.

In Conversation with Graham Norton has a poignant message - be true to yourself and everything will work out. Mark’s final line ‘I look forward to my life’ allows the play to feel like it’s come full circle, even if the audience is unsure as to how we have got there.

With a confident and solid performance from Jamie Kaye, the play has great potential but falls flat in the attempt to make itself relevant to modern audiences.

In Conversation with Graham Norton plays at Waterloo East Theatre until 30th November 2025.

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★★★☆☆ (3*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Robert Piwko