Review: Ruby Wax's 'Absolutely Famous' Offers Candid Look at Celebrity Interviews
Ruby Wax’s new stage show, 'Absolutely Famous,' currently touring until July 7, features a candid retrospective of her most revealing celebrity interviews from the 1990s and early 2000s. Co-hosted with her longtime producer Clive Tulloh at the Richmond Theatre in London, the performance combines archive footage from her BBC series 'When Ruby Wax Met' with fresh commentary. Wax openly addresses the nature of such nostalgia acts while providing entertaining insights into her encounters with controversial figures including OJ Simpson, Donald Trump, Imelda Marcos, Pamela Anderson, Madonna, and Bill Cosby. The review highlights Wax’s unique ability to secure unprecedented access, such as interviewing Simpson for 17 hours non-stop, and her skillful blend of humor, charm, and psychological insight. Although the material revisits previously discussed topics, the combination of rare clips and Wax’s engaging storytelling creates a compelling evening. The show underscores how media landscapes have changed, noting that such intimate access and BBC expense budgets are unlikely to be replicated today. Despite being non-revelatory for those familiar with her earlier retrospectives, the production remains an engaging exploration of fame, celebrity culture, and the craft of journalism.
Wire timeline
Review: Ruby Wax's 'Absolutely Famous' Offers Candid Look at Celebrity Interviews
Ruby Wax’s new stage show, 'Absolutely Famous,' currently touring until July 7, features a candid retrospective of her most revealing celebrity interviews from the 1990s and early 2000s. Co-hosted with her longtime producer Clive Tulloh at the Richmond Theatre in London, the performance combines archive footage from her BBC series 'When Ruby Wax Met' with fresh commentary. Wax openly addresses the nature of such nostalgia acts while providing entertaining insights into her encounters with controversial figures including OJ Simpson, Donald Trump, Imelda Marcos, Pamela Anderson, Madonna, and Bill Cosby. The review highlights Wax’s unique ability to secure unprecedented access, such as interviewing Simpson for 17 hours non-stop, and her skillful blend of humor, charm, and psychological insight. Although the material revisits previously discussed topics, the combination of rare clips and Wax’s engaging storytelling creates a compelling evening. The show underscores how media landscapes have changed, noting that such intimate access and BBC expense budgets are unlikely to be replicated today. Despite being non-revelatory for those familiar with her earlier retrospectives, the production remains an engaging exploration of fame, celebrity culture, and the craft of journalism.
The Guardian