Frank’s Closet at Wilton’s Music Hall
The day before his wedding, an anxious and doubt-ridden Frank (Andy Moss) has a lot on his mind. Not to mention one particularly difficult task: sorting through his wardrobe to assemble a collection of diva dresses he’s donating to the V&A. A monumental task for the groom, who doesn’t seem quite ready to part with the frocks. This is the incipit of this charming musical, directed by Sasha Regan, with music and lyrics by Stuart Wood.
As exquisitely camp and well-performed as it is, it unfortunately doesn’t quite succeed in creating a strongly compelling narrative.
But let’s start with the dresses, since more than Frank, they seem to be the real protagonists. There’s more to them than just cinema history: Frank finds joyful refuge in the fantasy world he’s crafted around his iconic collection. Every dress has a story, and he is someone who lives for stories, as do the divas who visit him in turn. Each one blesses Frank with some advice, a lot of glamour and a few iconic lines. Luke Farrugia shines bright as The Diva, bringing to life a set of quirky and naughty characters, with highlights including a tongue-in-cheek performance by Farrugia’s Julie Andrews, and a heartfelt portrayal of Judy Garland.
However, the musical struggles to fully come to life and, at times, loses momentum. It’s easy to get lost in the chaos without a solid anchor – a narrative hook – to hold the audience’s attention. Despite being a nostalgic and joyful show, full of charm, the writing doesn’t fully convey Frank’s inner conflicts. This weakens the relationship between the audience and the main character, making it harder for viewers to fully invest in Frank’s relationship with his partner and understand the reasons behind his retreat into fantasy. It’s Frank’s relationship with his wardrobe that commands attention – in the end, it becomes about waiting for the next costume to be revealed, and the diva donning it dispensing diva-isms.
This is truly a love story – two, actually. Frank’s love story with his husband-to-be, and his relationship with his wardrobe. It’s a testament to the power of fashion and memory: joyful and bittersweet, camp and tender. If both love stories were equally strong and multi-faceted, Frank’s Closet might have been even more powerful.
Benedetta Mancusi
Photo: Courtesy of the production
Frank’s Closet is at Wilton’s Music Hall from 3rd until 14th September 2024. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.
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