Verbal Diary is a gloriously inventive, warm-hearted, bitter-sweet, and laugh-out loud show. It really is a must-see. Trouble is, it will end for good soon. And the lucky denizens of the Cryer Arts in Carshalton will be those fortunate to bear witness as the curtains come down for the last time.
There’s so much to unpack about the stage play. Its genesis (spotlight on Rik Mayall, John Otway, and Paul Bradley) and the wonderful stage production (enter stage left Tom Johnson). Therefore, this feature will be in two parts.
We’ll start in the beginning.
Verbal Diary
Part I
John Otway ‘rock and roll’s biggest failure’ and Paul Bradley (EastEnders/Holby City) together conceived and wrote Verbal Diary when Otway’s music career hit yet another impasse.
Later on, Bradley approached comedy legend Rik Mayall who agreed to finance the production (Mayall’s only production credit, apparently). The show drifted along, in typical Otway fashion, flickering sporadically. Nothing much doing.
Then fast forward a couple or three decades and Southender Tom Johnson lands a choice gig supporting, you guessed it, John Otway. Consequently, conversation turns to Verbal Diary and John effectively hands the project over to Tom.
And what a stellar job Tom has created from the source material. As Tom described it to me, ‘not a musical, but a play with music’.
You can enjoy our full, unedited, interview by clicking on the image below.
Part II
The Verbal Diary scene is set when bumbling Gordon (Tom Johnson) is forced into a house share when his previous romantic relationship breaks up. It’s just after Christmas too, so Gordon resolves to keep a new year’s diary to chronicle his love life and his budding photojournalist career.
However. What is it people say about diarists? Are they writing for themselves or for others to read? Unfortunately for Gordon, his new housemates are in the latter camp and unbeknownst to him they seize and devour his diary.
Cheryl (Georgie Harriet-King) and the other two residents, Phil (Alex J Carter) and Tristram (James Little) have total access to Gordon’s inner world, including his plans to woo Cheryl.
Add to the mix of chasing Cheryl, trying to impress his unhinged boss Eric (Carter), and building friendships with Phil and Tristram … it’s a recipe for madcap shenanigans.
All the action takes place in and around a towering seven-foot pop-up diary designed by Dave Taylor and painted by John Bulley (of Camden Lock fame). Everything is in it: The Bunsen Burner pub, bedroom, showers, newspaper offices. I don’t remember seeing a kitchen sink though. The set is so well thought out and in keeping with the show’s riotous imagination.
From time to time, Gordon plays the jester by strumming along in excellent fashion on his acoustic guitar to bring the audience up to speed or clarify the plot. In this swansong performance, the cast will be augmented by a string quartet, which will provide a fitting send off.
Epilogue
Verbal Diary is a comedic, visual, and musical treat. Don’t miss this final opportunity to enjoy it. Keep a lookout for the talented cast and musicians too. I will be keen to see where Tom Johnson’s absurdist worldview will take him next.
The final production of Verbal Diary will be at the Cryer Theatre, Carshalton, on 30 October 2025. Tickets are available here.
