A production at the King’s Head offering a comic musical about the infamous FBI director marks one of the year’s most thrilling, side-splitting and invigorating theatrical experiences.
The music and lyrics come from Harry Shearer, celebrated for his work on The Simpsons and Spinal Tap, alongside Tom Leopold, who has written for television hits Seinfeld and Cheers.
With that impressive background, and Bryan Batt portraying the powerful, ruthless and sinister intelligence chief who targeted millions of Americans for four decades, this show cannot disappoint.
Bryan Batt as J Edgar Hoover in Here Comes J. Edgar! A Comedy Musical at The King’s Head, Islington. (Image: Mark Douet)
As head of American intelligence, he manipulated a succession of presidents through deception and coercion to achieve his goals.
He built his reputation tackling organised crime during the 1930s, then refined and expanded his shadowy methods to influence politics.
He partnered with some of the nation’s most unsavoury right-wing extremists and targeted minority communities, including fellow gay men, along with anyone deemed unpatriotic.
Trump would have admired him.
The cast of Here Comes J. Edgar! A Comedy Musical at The King’s Head, Islington. (Image: Photo by Mark Douet)
The musical begins with Hoover on his deathbed accompanied by a pair of nurses who chain-smoke throughout.
One of them observes that it seems impossible to believe that such a figure lying there actually wielded more power for longer than any man in American history.
Young Hoover, played by Jess Pratley, provides narration for his formative years and delivers the first of numerous outstanding songs scattered throughout the two-hour performance.
Mother also appears on stage, portrayed by the excellent Lucy O’Byrne.
Bryan Batt delivers a remarkable performance, seamlessly transitioning from grave, committed law enforcer to one of the most delightfully theatrical characters ever seen on London stages.
He falls for Clyde Tolson, a junior intelligence officer portrayed by the accomplished and knowing Hugo Bolton, and a secret relationship spanning decades begins.
Shearer and Leopold have worked with director Josh Seymour and his talented creative team to create an evening of constant laughter featuring sparkling dialogue, standout acting, clever lyrics and impressive musical numbers.
The production pulses with energy from its opening moments through to the spontaneous standing ovation at its conclusion.
Here Comes can be appreciated as a satire, an examination of a profoundly flawed individual, a social portrait and even a romance.
Impeccable, witty and magnificent, this production seems destined for a West End transfer.
Here Comes J Edgar runs at The King’s Head Theatre Upper Street until August 16th.