Of course, any show which journeys through the 80’s and 90’s would be remiss to miss out the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Reflecting on the death of his long-term partner, Francis Menuge, the show delivers a beautiful and sensitive moment of focus. An evocative solo contemporary dance to a darker-paced a Capella interpretation of “I Got You Under My Skin” cuts through the absurdity of fashion extravagance and packs an unexpected emotional punch.
While there’s no faulting the visual bravura of the production, you may find it lacking a certain je ne sais quoi. Just as every haute couture collection has a thematic through line to tie disparate elements together, so too Freakshow needs a glue to bring all these wonderful and exciting artistic talents together and make them cohesive and exciting.
A show whose subject matter and muse is also its creator, writer, director and costume designer, is always going to risk of lacking a larger creative team who can say no and broaden the vision. It’s a rare thing to say it but this show could have done with a few more chefs.
If you want to come and worship at the idiosyncratic, homoerotic, provocative altar of Gaultier, you will find plenty to appreciate in this unique visual juggernaut. If you want a show that is a deep dive into the man behind the fashion statements, you may find Fashion Freakshow a little threadbare.