ALMOST FAMOUS
Emily Benton, veteran female actor and star of stage and screen, is back in the UK after a career that took her to Broadway and Hollywood. With her pedigree, she should be in Downton Abbey or the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Instead she's auditioning for a role in a devised play that has only become available because another, slightly older and more famous, female actor has gone to join the theatre in the sky. How did fate bring her to this?
Maybe there's a secret that Emily isn't revealing.
Make Up premiered at Brighton Fringe in May 2025 and has also been performed at GM Fringe, Buxton Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe this summer. Further dates are lined up for Autumn 2025.
The script of the play will be published later this year.
Reviews:
'Anyone with a love of and respect for the acting profession or just the world of theatre really ought to see this show. The script by Andy Moseley is sharp, beautifully observed, and makes a good many fascinating observations about the world of theatre and performance. Jac Wheble makes the part of Emily her own, giving us the excitement, the (faded?) glamour, and so successfully changing manner and pace once a different reality is exposed. It's warm, reflective, sardonic, funny and very human.' (Buxton Fringe Review)
'Jac Wheble is sublime as Benton, bringing out every inch of pathos from a life of wanting to be centre stage, the lead actress, getting all the applause and the plaudits. Andy Moseley’s script was structured perfectly and included some wry observations about art and the business of art. This is a deft play, performed by an actress with wonderful control and understanding. The hour flew by, and I heartily recommend it.' (North West End UK)
'Jac Wheble showcased a wealth of experience in her performance, making everything more vulnerable and relatable and not just someone on stage reciting a monologue. The feeling of being so near and yet so far created a balance between tension and some unique, insightful humour that gave the impression of the saying 'if you don't laugh about it, you cry'.' (Theatre in Brighton)
'There is something of The Dresser and something of The Entertainer in this monologue with bite. The play is full of waspish wit. Wheble gives us a defiant Emily, wistful yet hard-bitten. The acting is impeccable, and the switch between light and dark impeccably handled.' (Quays Life)
'Written in a really interesting way and acted with realism and genuineness. Emily’s stories are elaborate and lovely until suddenly we are invited into hear about her life more intimately and then everything changes. Very funny and thought provoking, and well recommended.' (Broadway Baby)
'There is so much to admire in Moseley’s script. Emily’s layers are eventually peeled back and you realise that there is so much more to the figure than initially perceived. The play will specifically appeal to longtime arts fans, with all of the references to the world of theatre: from regional venues to the West End.' (Kat Masterson)
Maybe there's a secret that Emily isn't revealing.
Make Up premiered at Brighton Fringe in May 2025 and has also been performed at GM Fringe, Buxton Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe this summer. Further dates are lined up for Autumn 2025.
The script of the play will be published later this year.
Reviews:
'Anyone with a love of and respect for the acting profession or just the world of theatre really ought to see this show. The script by Andy Moseley is sharp, beautifully observed, and makes a good many fascinating observations about the world of theatre and performance. Jac Wheble makes the part of Emily her own, giving us the excitement, the (faded?) glamour, and so successfully changing manner and pace once a different reality is exposed. It's warm, reflective, sardonic, funny and very human.' (Buxton Fringe Review)
'Jac Wheble is sublime as Benton, bringing out every inch of pathos from a life of wanting to be centre stage, the lead actress, getting all the applause and the plaudits. Andy Moseley’s script was structured perfectly and included some wry observations about art and the business of art. This is a deft play, performed by an actress with wonderful control and understanding. The hour flew by, and I heartily recommend it.' (North West End UK)
'Jac Wheble showcased a wealth of experience in her performance, making everything more vulnerable and relatable and not just someone on stage reciting a monologue. The feeling of being so near and yet so far created a balance between tension and some unique, insightful humour that gave the impression of the saying 'if you don't laugh about it, you cry'.' (Theatre in Brighton)
'There is something of The Dresser and something of The Entertainer in this monologue with bite. The play is full of waspish wit. Wheble gives us a defiant Emily, wistful yet hard-bitten. The acting is impeccable, and the switch between light and dark impeccably handled.' (Quays Life)
'Written in a really interesting way and acted with realism and genuineness. Emily’s stories are elaborate and lovely until suddenly we are invited into hear about her life more intimately and then everything changes. Very funny and thought provoking, and well recommended.' (Broadway Baby)
'There is so much to admire in Moseley’s script. Emily’s layers are eventually peeled back and you realise that there is so much more to the figure than initially perceived. The play will specifically appeal to longtime arts fans, with all of the references to the world of theatre: from regional venues to the West End.' (Kat Masterson)
