Another day, another sell-out show – Tom Read Wilson: A to Z of Me. Tom Read Wilson is evidently even more popular than I’d thought. I probably don’t fall into the usual demographic of his fans – those who follow Celebs Go Dating and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! – but I’d certainly heard of him and was intrigued.
What I’d seen of him before was a bit over the top (a bit???) and very, very ‘dahhhhling’. IRL he’s both of those things, taller than I’d imagined, and there is something quite mesmerising about his beautiful face. He reminded me very much of someone, but I struggled all evening to think of whom that person might be. A bit like Joan Crawford maybe, or perhaps a bit of my very glamorous aunt. Whichever or whoever, Tom’s style is very old-style Hollywood, but actually in a much more understated way than I’d expected.
He appeared on stage when the house lights were down, and then there he was, revealed, in a plain dark grey T-shirt – very fitted, of course – black velvet palazzo pants, patent leather shoes, and his trademark pearls. Gorgeous. Accompanying him on stage was his musical support and collaborator Marcus Carter-Adams, very much in the wings, but actually an integral and necessary part of the show.
Songs, Sonnets, and Smut: Tom Read Wilson Live
A to Z of Me is well-described in the publicity: ‘through songs and sonnets, stories and smut, discover the logophile in a delicious slice of theatre’. It does what it says on the tin, and really there are no surprises. Read Wilson is the product of musical theatre training, and there were a lot of songs in the show. He’s got a decent voice, and he tells a delightful story about being the wicked fairy Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty, but perhaps television has stolen him away now. But it makes this show all the more understandable – he can do what he likes here! And the show is a very clever mix – well-paced and slick – of the talents of the word-loving showman.
A to Z of Me is maybe a bit self-indulgent in that regard, as is the inclusion of three Shakespeare Sonnets. But Read Wilson recites them beautifully and with a great deal of heartfelt emotion. I could happily have had an hour of poetry recital from him and been thoroughly content.
“Whichever or whoever, Tom’s style is very old-style Hollywood, but actually in a much more understated way than I’d expected.“
There is something a little wistful about Tom Read Wilson, and I was glad that the promised ‘smut’ wasn’t overplayed. Yes, there are innuendos and double-entendres, but there is more about turning his back to the audience, bending over provocatively while adding each of the alphabetical cues to his A and Z chalkboards and apologising to front-row audience members about their view. The show wouldn’t offend many, I don’t think.
The underlying wistfulness that I felt made me think of the cliché of the tears of a clown. I think there’s a great deal more to Tom Read Wilson than he cares to show us on stage. But for now, this is a very lovely slice of what he’s willing and able to share.
Show details
Venue: Venue 64: Gilded Balloon at the Museum, Lothian Street, EH1 1HB (Google Maps)
Date(s): Wed 05 Aug to Sun 16 Aug (12 shows)
Time(s): 7:30pm (60 mins)
Age recommendation: 16+
Price: From £11 (concessions available)
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