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And All That Jazz Review: Gillian Gurganus Turns Broadway Dreams into Comedy Gold

  • London Theatre Doc
  • 4 days ago
  • 2 min read
ree

★★★★


I never grew up a theatre kid. My youth was all about track and field, and it was not until my twenties that I fell in love with theatre. That is why I am fascinated by performers like Gillian Gurganus, who was a theatre kid and has the stories to prove it.


With her trademark wit, Broadway grit, and a fanbase of loyal Gillianaires, the official name of her fan club, Gillian turns her life story into a cabaret bursting with charm and chaos. From dreaming of starring in Chicago to hustling in Times Square with nothing more than a stack of flyers and a cherry pie hat, she mines every memory for comic gold.


The atmosphere is part comedy club, part Broadway lounge. Gillian paces the stage with a knowing grin, throwing in sly asides and theatrical flourishes that make the audience feel like insiders. Stories about auditions gone wrong, costume mishaps, and the daily grind of chasing Broadway dreams are delivered with just enough exaggeration to keep the laughs rolling, but always with a kernel of truth that makes them relatable.


Her comedy is sharp, her delivery lightning fast, and her gift is making everyone in the room feel like they are in on the joke. There is a rhythm to the way she builds momentum: a gag lands, a callback follows, and before you know it the whole room is buzzing.


She saves her one musical number for the finale, and it lands as a joyful payoff, a cheeky wink to the theatre kid she has always been. By then the audience is fully on her side, laughing not just at the stories but at the infectious joy with which she tells them.


What makes And All That Jazz shine is the way Gillian lets you in. She does not just perform at you, she brings you along for the ride. By the end, you do not feel like a spectator, you feel like the newest Gillianaire.


If you have ever dreamed of Broadway glory, love a good laugh, or just want to bask in the unstoppable energy of a true theatre kid, this is a must see.


Show Information

Show - And All That Jazz

Venue - Just Up The Stairs at Just The Tonic at The Caves

Time - 1425 (35 minutes)

Dates - Until Sun 24th August

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