Those of a similar vintage to me will enjoy Ruby Wax’s new live touring show, which relives a moment in time when she was indeed Absolutely Famous as the queen of the ‘shock doc’ with her provocative television shows in the 90s.
Together with her long-time collaborator and A-list producer Clive Tulloh (seen at her feet below!), they take to the stage to share incredible ‘behind the scenes’ stories about some of the guests she quizzed on her hit TV shows Ruby Wax Meets and Full Wax.
It seems unbelievable now that Ruby coaxed fascinating insights and unforgettable responses from an array of guests that included the now US President Donald Trump, OJ Simpson, Pamela Anderson and Madonna. This is just a few of the A-listers who found themselves cajoled into Ruby’s hot seat on the BAFTA-nominated shows.
Those of us who saw these shows the first time around still talk about Ruby’s ability to get ian audience with the rich, famous and infamous. Her style was disarming and, of course, funny and those who were ‘in on the joke’ enjoyed the infamy as much as Ruby did!
She danced with the Spice Girls, organised Sarah Ferguson’s t-shirts, ran along the beach with Pammy in Baywatch and went to bed with Madonna. And who could forget Ruby exploring Imelda Marcos’s shoe collection or witnessing the friendship blossoming between her and the late great Carrie Fisher?
Ruby’s television back catalogue is reviewed in the show which is an affectionate and personal tribute to her work as an award-winning comedian, actress and mental health advocate. Clive Tulloch provides the perfect balance and keeps her on track with her anecdotes while allowing her to reminisce freely.
If you don’t know already, Ruby has cemented herself as one of the greats on both stage and screen, from the Royal Shakespeare Company, to primetime TV, and script editing on the beloved Absolutely Fabulous. She also has a master’s degree in mindfulness based cognitive therapy from The University of Oxford and in 2015 was awarded an OBE for her services to mental health.
Ruby recently starred on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! winning her a whole new generation of fans.
Big up for the cross-generational collaboration too – the show is directed by Ruby’s daughter Maddy Bye, one half of comedy duo Siblings with her sister Marina Bye. The comedy gene clearly runs strong in this family.
The Absolutely Famous tour is live around the UK now finishing in Bristol on 7th July. I saw the show in Richmond. I expect it will sell out so to book tickets click here.
