Frank’s Closet continues at the Union Theatre until 30 March 2024.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
Stuart Wood’s tenderly affectionate 2009 show fits the shabby chic of Union Theatre perfectly. It’s all layers of tulle, red lights and painter pillars thanks to the appropriately retro designs by Catherine Phelps (set) and Ben Bull (lighting).
It’s a drag queen show in which five of seven performers are male and cheery campness is what makes it work so well. Sasha Regan, as ever, works wonders with her cast.
The eponymous Frank (Andy Moss) is about to marry his partner Alan (unseen until the final scene). The problem is that Frank has been collecting theatre costumes all his life and now they have to go – to the V&A.
So we are treated to an exposition of the costumes and the people who wore them while he explores his closet one last time. Gentle, witty nostalgia is what this is all about.
Not that there’s anything self-indulgent about this show which pounds along with zippy energy and some fine singing, often in harmony, and although there was a slight issue with sound balance (band louder than singers) at the start on press night, it soon settled.
Moss is rueful, engaging and appealing as Frank …
Read the rest of this review at Musical Theatre Review: https://musicaltheatrereview.com/franks-closet-union-theatre/
