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A glittering return for this fringe favourite with sass and heart, though the sound hits a sour note.Summary
Rating
Excellent
After two sell-out runs 15 years ago, we see the return to this fringe hit, Frank’s Closet. This new version is hosted in the lovely surroundings of The Union Theatre, directed by Sasha Regan.
We meet Frank, played by Andy Moss (a secret crush of mine from his Hollyoaks days) who is in a crisis, facing changes that a deeper commitment brings, the day before his wedding to his beloved Alan (and yes, I did appreciate the name). However, he retreats into his closet, which is both literal and metaphorical – there are many LGBT+ people out there who know the comfort and anxiety that comes from living in that space.
Here he is surrounded by drag mothers called the Gaiety Girls: the very talented Oliver Bradley-Taylor (double barrelled and double the height of the rest!), Sarah Freer, Olivia McBride and Jack Rose. They mother Frank, filling the stage with glamour and spectacular dance routines, whilst acting as stagehands. In addition, they fill the air with wonderful harmonies evoking the age of music hall, with the very best of musical theatre and an explosion of enthusiastic campness mixed in. I was enthralled. Amongst the many frocks, that hold special meaning and memories to Frank, The Diva appears, embodied by the sublime, witty and vocally gymnastic Luke Farrugia. Farrugia transforms into seven divas, giving dragged-up performances, with just enough nods to the wonderful ladies of stage and screen to make them recognisable, whilst singing advice using the very witty and touching songs of Stuart Wood. As you would expect from a quality drag performer, Farrugia has many fabulous frocks and wigs, designed by Steven Metacalfe and many quick changes, assisted by Dresser David Furnell, who really deserves a mention.
This is a fabulous show. Moss is great as the central character, ironically playing the ‘straight’ man to the glitch and glamour that surrounds him. This is really needed and helps the audience engage further with his story, as he recounts the events leading up to his moment of matrimonial crisis. I recognise so much of my lived experience and the heart of the show still resonates with me now. The only fly in this delicious soup of sass is the sound, at times the live trumpet (Sam Balchin) and trombone (Peter Crocker) drown out the vocals, making lyrics tricky to catch.
And make sure you arrive early enough to meet the bawdy Sheila Blige (Paul Toulson) in the bar beforehand. She brilliantly warms up the audience as we wait to enter the theatre space, giving a performance with another nod to Dickensian music hall. In the interval the entertainment continues, with more from Sheila and the Gaiety Girls, creating a vocal recap of the first act. A thoroughly entertaining and uplifting evening.
Book, music and lyrics by Stuart Wood
Directed by Sasha Regan
Musical direction by Anto Buckley
Choreography by Jo McShane
Lighting design by Ben Bull
Production design by Catherine Phelps
Costume and wigs designed by Steven Metcalfe
Frank’s Closet is currently running at The Union Theatre until 30th March.
Further information and bookings can be found here.
