Madfabulous

There’s been no shortage of costume dramas in recent years, though most of the fashion and fabulosity is reserved for the heteronormative. Madfabulous is here to change that. Celyn Jones’s beautifully shot film is an affectionate, queer-coded tribute to one of history’s most eccentric aristocrats, Henry Paget, 5^th Marquess of Anglesey.

The renegade dandy-esque Henry Paget (Callum Scott Howells) arrives at Plas Newydd in an opulent, ruffled burgundy gown following the death of his father. He instantly bonds with his cousin, Lily (Ruby Stokes), whom he marries, and is doted on by loyal butler Gelert (Rupert Everett). The Marquess spends lavishly, both on himself and others, and stages “butterfly dances” (hence his nickname “The Dancing Marquess”) even as his body succumbs to the effects of tuberculosis. However, his eccentricities and extravagant expenditure aren’t appreciated by the stuffy aristocratic establishment, and he is accordingly deemed “mad”.

It’s a sumptuous period romp that recalls the rich pastoral theatricality of Peter Greenaway, with shades of Derek Jarman’s historical queer classics. Howells is a charming lead, striking a delicate balance between overt flamboyance and capturing Henry’s humanity. Having first made an impression in the acclaimed It’s a Sin, with his heartbreaking performance as the timid Colin, he exhibits much versatility as a character actor with this markedly different role. While Stokes is an excellent accompaniment to Howells, Everett is somewhat underused (as seems to be the case in many of his recent roles).

There’s a postmodern intersectional aspect to the story. Though never explicitly stated to be LGBTQ+, Henry’s marginalisation evidently goes deeper than his elegant attire. He feels a connection to a young Black girl who is excluded from her white peers, and subsequently adopts her as per real life; he stands up for Lily when she’s chastised by bullish men; he shows empathy for the poor in spite of his riches (his frivolity with money perhaps emphasising his disregard for the hierarchical system into which he was born). 

Though exquisite to look at, its emphasis on aesthetics leaves the story feeling a little flat in places. However, Jones’s film is a largely successful endeavour in animating its fascinating subject.

With beautiful production value and a suitably fabulous lead performance, Madfabulous is a must-watch for costume drama fans and fashionistas alike. This bittersweet tale is a reminder that embracing authenticity is a timeless aspiration.