Bryan Batt Stars as Cross-Dressing J. Edgar Hoover in Surprisingly Bold Musical

Forget Broadway. Forget the West End. Harry Shearer and Tom Leopold (The Simpsons, Spinal Tap) just premiered their ambitious J. Edgar Hoover musical in a London pub theater. Yes, that J. Edgar Hoover – founder of the FBI. Yes, a full-scale musical about the notoriously closeted, power-hungry director. And yes, "Mad Men" alum Bryan Batt plays him... often in drag.

This isn't a small-scale production. It's a large-cast show with big numbers, somehow squeezed above a pub. Despite opening night jitters and last-minute understudies, the cast didn't miss a beat.

The narrative unfolds in a deathbed flashback, charting Hoover's ruthless rise to power. It delves into his complex relationship with "lifetime assistant" and lover Clyde, exploring the hypocrisy of a man who exploited others' secrets while fiercely guarding his own. Musically, it’s a masterclass in satire. Think classic Big American Musical belters à la "Guys and Dolls" meets the modern bite of "The Book of Mormon."

Batt is magnificent as Hoover. Cruel, cowardly, and Machiavellian, he's a narcissist portrayed with all too human frailty. Batt fully commits, whether in a suit or, more memorably, in gowns, heels, and blonde curls. It's a role Batt, known for playing a closeted character in "Mad Men," clearly relishes, adding a knowing wink for those familiar with his past work.

Hugo Bolton shines as Clyde, Hoover's long-suffering lover and employee. He's camp, fey, and arguably the show's emotional anchor, bearing the weight of Hoover's abuses with surprising resilience and depth. Lucy O'Byrne delivers a standout performance as Maisie, Hoover’s secretary, with a "Cabaret"-esque moment that shifts the entire dynamic. A highlight is a brilliant quartet of Presidents – including Roosevelt, JFK, and Johnson – reflecting on their uneasy relationships with Hoover and his kompromat. It's funny, silly, and pitch-perfect.

The show masterfully satirizes musical theater's tendency to soften villains, yet it becomes a genuinely heartfelt production in its own right. It's a political pantomime, daring to claim it tells the story of 20th-century America better than even "Hamilton."

"Here Comes J. Edgar! A Comedy Musical" runs at London's King's Head Theatre until August 16th. Don't miss this bizarre, brilliant theatrical gamble.