Richard Gadd returns to the stage for the first time since Baby Reindeer – in a play so secret he didn’t even get to see the script beforehand!

Richard Gadd returns to the stage for the first time since Baby Reindeer - in a play so secret he didn't even get to see the script beforehand!

As a theatre enthusiast with a soft spot for dark humor and a deep appreciation for the captivating world of Baby Reindeer, I found myself eagerly anticipating the performance by Richard Gadd. Having grown up in a quaint village reminiscent of Tunbridge Wells, my theatrical journey has been as varied as the characters that grace the stage.


Richard Gadd, the mind behind Baby Reindeer, received a star-studded welcome as he took the stage live for the first time since the Netflix show led to a massive £92 million lawsuit against him.

Audience members enthusiastically cheered and praised the 35-year-old comedian and actor following his performance in the eccentric West End production “White Rabbit Red Rabbit.” Each evening, a new performer steps onto the stage without prior rehearsals.

Instead of seeing the script ahead of time, it is kept in a sealed envelope on the stage, meaning that actors must memorize their lines and adhere to the stage directions without any prior knowledge or preparation.

Enthusiasts yearned to witness Gadd’s standalone ‘innovative’ performance, having been captivated by his role in the critically acclaimed, darkly comedic TV series that received numerous Emmy accolades.

In the role of an ardent admirer, I found myself amongst the throngs eagerly anticipating the unique performance at the Soho Place Theatre. Alas, it was a sold-out event, leaving those without tickets, including myself, yearning at the door in hopes of last-minute cancellations. Unfortunately, we were all turned away, our hearts heavy with disappointment.

Currently, Gadd finds himself embroiled in a lawsuit filed against the streaming service due to how Baby Reindeer portrayed his encounter with a stalker.

In a court filing, Fiona Harvey is seeking substantial compensation for defamation, emotional distress, and negligence of a serious nature. The claim asserts that the character of Martha Scott, portrayed as a stalker in the show, is actually a representation of herself.

Richard Gadd returns to the stage for the first time since Baby Reindeer - in a play so secret he didn't even get to see the script beforehand!

Richard Gadd returns to the stage for the first time since Baby Reindeer - in a play so secret he didn't even get to see the script beforehand!
Richard Gadd returns to the stage for the first time since Baby Reindeer - in a play so secret he didn't even get to see the script beforehand!

On a bustling Sunday, I found myself among a sea of enthusiasts at the Soho Place Theatre, all drawn by the magnetic pull of Gadd’s acclaimed Netflix series. The obscure play we gathered for, delving into the tumultuous narrative of Iranian tyranny, was our shared beacon, igniting a collective curiosity that brought us together.

I was ecstatically enthralled when he transformed a script depicting Tehran’s struggles into a humorous act, complete with his own ostrich impression and inviting spectators onto the stage to participate.

Before the performance, this artist from Scotland – who was born there – interacted with a few admirers by signing autographs and snapping selfies at the theater entrance.

Georgia Meacham, a model and actor at the age of 31, expressed her thoughts following the performance of the one-hour play, stating, “I found it absolutely incredible.

I’m quite fond of Baby Reindeer, and since Richard isn’t just an actor, but also a writer and part of the production team, I made the choice to watch it.

‘He gave 100 percent which was so nice. Everything was so unexpected. There was so much suspense.

Richard Gadd returns to the stage for the first time since Baby Reindeer - in a play so secret he didn't even get to see the script beforehand!
Richard Gadd returns to the stage for the first time since Baby Reindeer - in a play so secret he didn't even get to see the script beforehand!

‘It was so interactive, the audience got up and got involved.

Georgia, known for her roles in Channel 4’s royal soap The Windsors and the film Wonder Woman 1984, commented, “Richard was incredibly talented, incredibly hilarious.

‘I’d love to see him again doing another theatre show.’

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but gush about the hilarious spectacle that was put forth by Katie Mison, age 26, hailing from Brighton. Despite its somber undertones, the comedy brilliantly masked these heavy themes, leaving me in stitches!

‘You didn’t know what was coming next. There were lots of unexpected twists.

‘We watched Baby Reindeer and we saw he was in this, so we thought let’s do it. It was brilliant.’

Daniel Sadecki, age 28, along with his friend Jose Andrade, who are both residents of London, found themselves captivated by the works of Iranian playwright Nassim Soleiman, particularly those that delve into the oppressive nature of the Tehran regime.

Daniel commented: ‘It was highly engaging, and I must say, I found Richard quite enjoyable. He was an exceptional entertainer.’

Jose commented: “I enjoyed it. What stood out to me was their engagement with the crowd, which made it quite entertaining.

Oliver Newman, 19, from Southend, said: ‘The show was brilliant. It was really thought provoking.

‘It was so different from anything I’ve seen before – a really cool concept for a show.

Initially, I was quite fond of Baby Reindeer, and I had been considering various alternatives. However, I decided to drop by and chat with Richard instead.

‘I expected more dark than comedy but there was a really nice mix of everything.’

Richard Gadd returns to the stage for the first time since Baby Reindeer - in a play so secret he didn't even get to see the script beforehand!
Richard Gadd returns to the stage for the first time since Baby Reindeer - in a play so secret he didn't even get to see the script beforehand!
Richard Gadd returns to the stage for the first time since Baby Reindeer - in a play so secret he didn't even get to see the script beforehand!

The sisters, Holly Rea and Amber Pollard-Rea, from Tunbridge Wells, mentioned that they arrived late, which caused them some brief difficulty in following along with the conversation.

However, Amber, aged 31, shared: “To be honest, our main motivation for attending was seeing Richard Gadd, mainly due to his work in ‘Baby Reindeer.’

‘It took us a few minutes to get into it and I thought I needed some convincing.

‘But it was really interesting and thought provoking – like a social experiment on stage.’

Holly, age 25, stated: “Being five minutes delayed made the situation more challenging, forcing us to jump right in quickly.

‘But very quickly, we were all sucked in and hanging on every word.

I believed that idea fit his performance style well, given that he is a comedian accustomed to being the sole focus on stage.

‘He could hold his own and because he was at ease with it, we were all at ease with it as well.’

Unfortunately, Heidi Kubisa, aged 44, from Bath, made a journey with hopes of securing a ticket for the event, but she ended up being unable to attend as she remained outside due to ticket unavailability.

She said: ‘We’re fans of Baby Reindeer and fans of Richard Gadd so we were hoping to get tickets.

Unfortunately, the tickets got snapped up almost immediately. Today, three of them became available, but we hesitated, and someone else grabbed them. I’m really upset about it.

Yet, she found comfort upon encountering the celebrity at the backstage entrance, where he graciously signed memorabilia and happily took photos with fans.

He was very pleasant. He took the time to sign autographs and take photos with the crowd who had gathered, so we simply wished him good luck and hoped his performance would be successful.

In simpler terms, Gadd has become the newest high-profile addition to what the organizers describe as a “dramatic journey blending humor and sorrow” and a heart-pounding event.

In the past, we’ve had Michael Sheen, Jonathan Pryce, Jason Isaacs, and Daisy Edgar-Jones grace our screens, but look forward to upcoming episodes with Lenny Henry, Toby Jones, Matt Lucas, and Catherine Tate.

Last month, our show was fortunate enough to win three out of the six Emmys it received. Interestingly, another Emmy was given to Jennifer Gunning for her chilling portrayal of the stalker character.

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2024-10-14 14:04

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