A musical can close early, lose money and still leave behind a song worth hearing. That is the appealing idea behind FLOP!, Arthur Hull’s cabaret devoted to songs from musicals that failed to find an audience, and at Wilton’s Music Hall, his London debut, he makes a convincing case for giving each of them another chance.
Hull is an engaging tour guide through this collection of theatrical misfires. He introduces each show with a clear sense of its story and fate, giving the songs enough context to stand on their own, with narration that is lively without overwhelming the music. His selection of songs feels carefully curated, with each offering a fresh reason to be curious about work that might otherwise have been forgotten.
His singing is the evening’s greatest strength. He has a strong, expressive voice and the energy to make every number feel like a complete theatrical event. He commits fully to the material, finding the humour when a song calls for it and giving other moments room to make an impression. It would be very easy to play the whole premise for laughs, but his enthusiasm suggests a real affection for these shows and the people who made them.
That warmth extends to the audience, and Hull involves the crowd throughout, responding to them with ease and keeping the atmosphere buoyant. The interaction adds to the pleasure of the night while allowing the songs and their stories to remain the focus, and the combination of performance and conversation makes for a particularly enjoyable cabaret experience.
What makes FLOP! work is the care behind its seemingly playful premise. Hull has found a coherent and entertaining way to bring together songs with very different histories, then delivers them with enough vocal skill and personality to justify their return to the stage. The musicals may have struggled, but this show gives their music a welcome second outing. It is a thoroughly engaging and very good fun night out.
Reviewer: Alan Stuart Malin
Reviewed: 24th September 2026
North West End UK Rating:
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