Here Comes J Edgar! A Musical Comedy review – show tunes, Mel Brooks zing and real human anguish

King’s Head theatre, London Camp comedy from The Simpsons’ Harry Shearer and Seinfeld writer Tom Leopold explores the relationship between FBI boss Hoover and protege Clyde Tolson This queering of FBI history does not seem like the stuff of fringe theatre. Created by American comedy royalty – Harry Shearer, a long-time cast member of The Simpsons, pens the book and lyrics with Tom Leopold, of Cheers and Seinfeld writing fame – the music is by the late Peter Matz, known for his work with Barbra Streisand. Alongside those commercial chops, Mad Men actor Bryan Batt plays the lead. It is even more curious that, as a very American story about the life and times of the eponymous first director of the bureau, it premieres in Britain. It has been decades in the making too (beginning life on radio in the 1990s). How has it ended up here? Continue reading...