Words: Berlyn Lee

4 Stars

After the success of his Fringe 2024 show, Gay Witch Sex Cult, Andrew Doherty is BACK! This time, Doherty is presenting scenes from his upcoming show “AIDS Actually” a predictable & cliched play that follows Harry Manlove – a gay man in England in the 1980s. Harry turns to drugs and unprotected sex after the explosion death of his unsupportive mother and (shocker) contracts AIDS. Doherty informs the audience that while the final form of the show will be fully cast, tonight, he will be playing all the characters while his new, mysterious sponsor “Arts Council England” (ACE) watches via zoom.

Of course, this isn’t the play that Doherty wanted to write, he wanted to write “The Real Housewives of the Wife House.” A comedy about six housewives living in a house with no doors and no windows, but ACE wanted a sad, gay AIDS play…

The title is a bit misleading, because it’s a truly hilarious show! Doherty shines as he plays everyone from Freddie Mercury to a poor boy who just wants to decorate cupcakes (not bake them, just decorate them). Only breaking character between “AIDS Actually” scenes to interact with the audience and battle ACE as they threaten to pull his funding if the play isn’t sad enough or is too controversial.

If you’re looking for a good laugh with a little horror, go and see this.

Andrew Doherty: Sad Gay AIDS Play
Pleasance Dome – 10 Dome
20:30
Aug 1st – 24th