Wales Millennium Centre are right back in the swing of things now the pandemic has eased and have a fantastic year of new, locally produced shows taking to the stage. The latest is a co-production of a brand new, solo musical by first-time writer (and long-time theatre-maker) LUKE HEREFORD.

GRANDMOTHER’S CLOSET (AND WHAT I FOUND THERE) is an autobiographical play about queer identities, and how Luke learned to love his with the help of his grandmother and her colourful wardrobe.

Featuring modern arrangements of pop classics from female icons including Madonna, Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Judy Garland and Björk, and directed by first-time director (and long-time actor) François Pandolfo.

This musical romp down the Yellow Brick Road promises mischief and mashups, dresses and divas, and a whole lot of heart.

Announcing the show, writer and performer Luke told us……

“This play is a manifestation of the joyful, glamorous spirit of my grandmother; my ultimate enabler. Every queer person has been on a journey of self-discovery at some point in their life, and though we take most of that journey alone, if we’re lucky we’re guided through it by unexpected formative moments with unexpected personal cheerleaders.

Grandmother’s Closet honours those moments and cheerleaders, the power of memory, and is a salute the sacred art of dressing up.”

So before we go any further, let’s find out more about the show from its creator and star, Luke Hereford. We sat him down in his bedroom (not his Grandmother’s) to talk about the inspiration, lockdown and of course just how important his Grandmother was and is.

There’s no rehearsal footage as yet (as they haven’t started), so the clips you see are from the early run through, and a specially recorded song from Luke.

Initially training as a musical theatre performer, Luke tells stories through an effervescently Queer lens, often utilising a celebratory, effervescent aesthetic to engage audiences, led by movement and music and almost always inspired by Queer culture. He adores actors, designers and collaboration.

​Since he started making work in 2016, he’s had a number of wonderful opportunities with the likes of Sherman Theatre, The JMK Trust, National Theatre Wales, The Carne Trust and Lincoln Center Theater.

If you’d like to see what Luke is up to and follow his work, go HERE.

This new piece is going to be something very special. Wales Millennium Centre Producer Peter Darney told us……

“This is a beautiful and personal show about Luke’s relationship with his grandmother and the effect her support for him has had on him as an artist. We are very proud to commission Luke’s first production as a writer, and François’ first as a director, combining their considerable talents to make a compassionate and celebratory show.”

First-time Director François Pandolfo has worked extensively as an actor across theatre, television and radio, appearing in evrything from Doctor Who, The Taming of the Shrew, The magic Flute with Welsh National Opera and Double Vision at the Wales Millennium Centre.

As for Musical Director David George Harrington he has worked with them all over the last 12 years as a composer, arranger and musical director. Including Katherine Jenkins, Connie Fisher, Jonny Wilkes, Shirley Bassey and newly revealed Masked Singer Aled Jones. He’s also had music performed by the London Philharmonic and London Concert Orchestra, Welsh National Opera, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Cory Brass Band. 

Add in the modern arrangements of pop classics makes GRANDMOTHER’S CLOSET (AND WHAT I FOUND THERE) one of the early highlights of the year.

This brand new production will be performed between Wednesday the 20th and Saturday 23rd April at the Centre’s Weston Studio. There will be two, dementia-friendly matinee performances on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd April. For more details, and to get tickets, go HERE.

Grandmother’s Closet (and What I Found There) is made possible by the generous support of Arts Council of Wales.