Frank’s Closet: A triumphant return to the stage for this high-camp musical

Frank’s Closet takes place on the eve of Frank’s wedding. At the insistence of his soon-to-be husband, he must make room in his closet by donating his collection of fabulous diva dresses. 

As Frank reminisces about the garments, he is visited by seven divas who counsel him through song. Can Frank move forward, even if it means losing his divas? Does he want to?

This week, DIVA spoke to Luke Farrugia, who plays all seven divas, about his experience working on the show.

DIVA: Why is Frank’s Closet an important story?

The original production of Frank’s Closet was in 2009 before same-sex marriage was legal in the UK but on the precipice of that change. There have been some rewrites, our show is different from its 2009 incarnation because it has to be; things have changed since then. Born out of that place, it asks, ‘We have received this heteronormative institution, but what does it mean to us? Where do we stand?’

Love comes in many different forms and who knows if marriage is the right answer for anyone. At its heart, it’s a show about queer marriage and queer relationships to marriage.

How do you define ‘a diva’?

A diva is never really self-imposed. Nobody calls themselves a diva, it’s imposed by the fans. A diva is a goddess, someone we put on a pedestal and look up to. They are larger than life, the fullest expression of gender. They never fit in, and they do what they want. They’re icons.

Why do you think the queer community gravitates towards these women?

Speaking from experience, I think it’s the fullness of life that these women tend to embody. All the divas in our show were treated terribly by the public and yet they still came out on stage singing. We find catharsis in them.

Read the full article here.