It’s always a pleasure to visit Wilton’s Music Hall. Both decaying and salubrious in equal measure, the place reeks of history.
And none more so, when, early on in Frank’s Closet, Marie Lloyd springs out and sings The Boys of London Town – appearing on the same stage she actually performed on many years ago. This time it was Luke Farrugia as the Diva, in his first incarnation portraying Lloyd.
Luke Farrugia – the Diva – as Marie Lloyd
The eponymous Frank, played by Andy Moss, is about to get married to the man of his dreams, but he’s getting cold feet. First, he must rid himself of some iconic costumes from his life. These costumes represent the gay icons of his youth: Julie Andrews, Judy Garland, Agnetha Fältskog and more. Each character pops up, all played by the fantastic Farrugia. Frank mentally battles them all, more than ably assisted by his very own Greek Chorus of brilliant burlesque dancers – Patrick Cook, Taylor Watson-Braithwaite, Olivia McBride and Daniel Walford are the Gaiety Girls and they not only dance and sing, they look superb, too!
As the story unfolds, the songs – all by Stuart Wood – create vibes of other musicals. I bounced from Little Shop of Horrors, to Betty Blue Eyes, to Copacabana, to Avenue Q. The live band creates a genuine Music Hall feel and keeps the whole thing rolling along. The costumes are stunning, the set compact and neat.
Andy Moss – as Frank – with his Gaiety Girls
Director Sasha Regan has created a tightly-knit company who perform to exceptional standards. Andy Moss almost gets lost in the crowd as the colours and vibrancy of the show threaten to overwhelm him. My one question, though, is The Sailor… why is the character there? Has he got anything to do with Frank’s story?
Frank’s Closet has been around for quite a few years. It doesn’t appear to have found a natural home where it can settle down and become the cult it so promises to be. After all, it is an example of crowd-pleasing quality theatre.
Paul Vates.
Presented by Labdon MacLeod Barnes Union Theatre
Director Sasha Regan Choreographer Jo McShane Writer / Composer Stuart Wood
Images Mark Senior.
Musical Director Anto Buckley Designer Catherine Phelps Head of Wardrobe David Furnell
Running Time 2 hours – with an interval Dates until Saturday 14th September 2024 Ages 13+
Check with the theatre for show times Venue Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, London E1 8JB
Instagram @franksclosetshow X @frankscloset24
Box Office Tickets are available from: https://www.wiltons.org.uk