‘What’s not to love?’: Tom England on bringing the smash-hit ‘Notting Hell’ back to The Wardrobe Theatre for the summer

Everyone loves a mash-up show, and no more so than The Wardrobe Theatre, which has become synonymous with the form over the course of its decade-long life in Old Market.

Most often, these productions have occurred over the festive period, when shows including Moulin Scrooge, Little Women in Black, and the memorably titled Muppets/Die Hard-inspired MDH: Puppets Do a Movie have graced the beloved stage.

Over Christmas 2024, it was the turn of Notting Hell: The Greatest Love Story in the Underworld, in which a “foppishly handsome” bookshop owner called Julian finds himself in love, but concurrently, in the fiery pits of Hell.

The show was a runaway success, and is now set to return for a summer run that begins on July 14. Returning in the role of Julian, Tom England joined Bristol24/7 from the rehearsal room to discuss how it feels, the second time around.

Shôn Dale-Jones and Tom England in Notting Hell: The Greatest Love Story in the Underworld, The Wardrobe Theatre

Can you sum up your character of Julian, and how much of Hugh Grant’s Notting Hill performance you wanted to inject into him?

“Julian Worthington is, as much as it pains me to say it, a bit of a loser. I mean, the first time you meet him in the show I literally sing a song that starts with the line ‘I’m just a loser with silly floppy hair’. He’s unlucky in love, living with his off-the-wall housemate, and running a failing romantic bookshop in Notting Hill. Nevertheless, he is (I hope) a character that audiences can connect with and come to love.

“We took a huge amount of inspiration from the film in the making of the show, so it’s impossible not to inject a good dose of Hugh Grant into the character. Though definitely not an impersonation, you can expect a healthy amount of bumbling and classic English buffoonery.”

Adiza Shardow, Stephanie Houtman and Tom England

How does it feel to be returning to familiar characters again – will the play be in your collective ‘muscle memory’?

“It is such a pleasure to be returning to play these familiar characters again. We first performed the show back in the winter of 2024 so it’s been a little while since I’ve donned the chinos and I can’t wait! I know Adiza Shardow, who plays the devil in our production, is also buzzing to dust off her giant table outfit (don’t ask) and get back out in front of audiences.

“It’s difficult to say how much of the show still lives in the collective muscle memory, given that we are yet to embark upon the rehearsal process, but it’s always surprising how much your body remembers. I often find that, even if I can’t recall the lines, my body seems to know where it should be standing and what steps come in the dance numbers.”

Adiza Shardow and Tom England

What elements of the ‘mash-up’ style are most fun to play with on stage?

“Given that there are only four cast members in the production, I have to say that it was pretty challenging to devise sections that sought to bring the depths of Hell to life. As a result, those parts of the show are now my favourite to perform by a long way. The costumes are ridiculous!

“I mean, what’s not to love about doing a full dance number wearing a giant, grotesque bobble head (come along to see what I mean!). I have to say, all of the dancing in the show is a favourite. The opening number also involves some pretty absurd costumes, and it is a fantastic way to kick off the show.”

Adiza Shardow in Notting Hell

The play has been transplanted from a winter to a summer run – what’s changed as a result? Are you expecting the energy of the audience to feel any different?

“We are planning to deliver all of the same crowd-pleasing moments. We’ll no doubt change some of the more wintery moments (swap out snow for sunshine etc), but apart from that, I should imagine we’ll be spending most of our rehearsal time adding even more gags and silliness to the show.

“The audiences absolutely loved the show first time around so I’ve no doubt they’ll be very much the same in terms of energy this time around. Fewer Christmas parties perhaps, but I’ve no doubt we’ll have a healthy portion of audiences who’ve been enjoying a nice afternoon’s drink in the sunshine.”

Tom England and Shôn Dale-Jones

Finally, a word on The Wardrobe Theatre, as it continues to celebrate its 10th year. How has it changed the landscape of theatre within Bristol?

The Wardrobe Theatre, ever since its inception, has been right at the heart of Bristol’s theatre scene. As a part of The Wardrobe Ensemble, we’ve had the pleasure of performing in the space a number of times over the years, particularly in the earlier part of our careers – and The Wardrobe Theatre provided us with a warm, supportive environment in which to nurture our work and find an audience in the city we love. I’ve no doubt it’s done the same for countless others. It is such a fantastic venue that continues to support new, emerging, and established voices from the city and beyond.

“It also caters to a slightly different crowd than other theatres in the region and, having performed in Notting Hell over Christmas 2024, I came to appreciate how the space has connected with a community of theatregoers that don’t necessarily consider themselves a ‘traditional theatre’ crowd. Tickets are affordable, audiences are up close to the performers, and the venue continues to deliver a wide range of absurd, poignant, and connected work. I think that is so important for the wider theatrical landscape in the region. Long live the Wardrobe!”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Wardrobe Theatre (@thewardrobetheatre)

Notting Hell: The Greatest Love Story in the Underworld is at The Wardrobe Theatre on July 14-August 8 at 7.30pm, with additional 2pm matinee shows on Friday and Saturday (no shows Sunday or Monday). Tickets are available at www.thewardrobetheatre.com.

All photos: Jack Offord

Read next:

• Review: Notting Hell: The Greatest Show in the Underworld, The Wardrobe Theatre – ‘As funny a show as you could want in this world, or under it’
• Celebrating a decade of The Wardrobe Theatre in Old Market
• Review: The Good, The Bad, and the Coyote Ugly, The Wardrobe Theatre – ‘A delightful evening of high-paced silliness’