In Conversation with Graham Norton returns to Waterloo East Theatre with a tight focus on a boy trying to hold himself together. Simon Perrott’s play follows fifteen year old Mark, anxious, isolated and unsure where to place his feelings. His family offers no comfort, school is hostile, and the only place he speaks honestly is in front of a framed photo of Graham Norton. The idea has strength, but this revival rarely pushes it to its full potential.

Jamie Kaye gives the role clear energy. He handles the lighter moments well, especially when slipping into the voices of family members or classmates. These shifts keep the stage active and stop the one-hour monologue from feeling static. When the story moves into darker territory, the intensity drops rather than builds. The emotions appear, but they do not sit long enough to leave real weight.

The script itself sits on uneven ground. Mark’s voice moves between teen slang and older, polished phrasing, creating a character who feels caught between versions of himself. The 2025 updates add new pop references, yet his online world is barely sketched. For a teenager living through screens, this feels thin. You can sense the earlier script beneath the surface, and the new details sit on top rather than blend in.

Gerald Armin’s direction keeps the hour clear and steady, but the production plays it safe. The idea of the Graham Norton “conversation” is strong enough to invite bolder choices, especially with the audience so close, yet the staging remains cautious. Scenes touch on interesting ideas, then move on before they can develop.

The set does most of the heavy lifting. Mark’s bedroom feels lived in, full of books, records and posters that map out his inner world. Lighting shifts give the room a slight pulse, which helps when the script wavers.

There is still something moving about watching a boy speak out loud for the first time, even if he is talking to a photograph. The play reaches honest moments and holds them briefly, but it often stops before it truly lands. Kaye’s performance carries the piece, yet the writing and direction keep circling familiar ground without breaking into something sharper or more urgent.

Flicker rating:

‍

About the show
Cast: Jamie Kaye as Mark
Creative team: Writer Simon Perrott, Director Gerald Armin, Designer Waterloo East Theatre, Lighting Jonathan Simpson, Assistant Director Rufus Kampus, Stage Manager Jack Firman
Run: Until 30 November 2025 at Waterloo East Theatre, Tue to Sat 7.30pm, Sun 4pm
Tickets: From £15 on the Waterloo East Theatre website