Frank’s Closet

Frank's Closet

Hackney’s original Victorian music hall theatre, Hoxton Hall, is reliving its golden era with a second run of the all-singing, all-dancing Frank’s Closet.

A pre-nuptial Frank is forced to clear out his fabulous costume collection on the eve of his civil partnership, invoking fond memories and cold feet. It’s an emotional journey but the Gaiety Girls are there to help him pack and with each treasured costume comes a story, a song, and a diva.

Written especially to be performed at Hoxton Hall, Frank’s Closet fills the place with vibrant colour, dazzling outfits and the fabulousness of being gay (and you don’t get gayer than Julie Andrews in a PVC nun’s habit).

Even before the show begins there’s innuendo a-plenty from Hoxton’s Pearly Queen, Sheila Blige (see what she did there?) with a lively sing-song in the theatre bar where audience participation is encouraged to get everyone in the mood.

From there you are taken on a veritable feast of clever lyrics, tight choreography and powerful vocals, especially from Russell Whitehead’s divas. The numbers are big and fun, with some not-so-subtle innuendo (“he took me up the Taj Mahal”) but there are some more poignant moments too – most notably Judy Garland‘s melancholy medley.

Although Frank himself is not a particularly likeable character and the plot is a bit thin on the ground, this is still an extremely enjoyable show which takes you back to the glorious days of London’s music hall.

Frank’s Closet is showing at Hoxton Hall until Sunday 10 January.

More information here.