SYNOPSIS
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Review
Starts very slowly but is no better than an OK show
Michelle
Though the show can now be seen at the Playhouse Theatre in the West End, the current production of “La Cage Aux Folles” began life at the Menier Chocolate Factory until early 2008 when it transferred and opened it up to a wider audience. It is a London revival of a musical that first emerged in 1983 from the pen of Jerry Herman, based upon a 1973 French play of the same name from Jean Poiret. Before it hit London, it was also adapted into a 1978 movie that is amongst the highest grossing foreign language film ever released on the other side of the Atlantic.
Today, the success of “La Cage Aux Folles” is cemented by its numerous stars to have taken on the role of drag Queen Albin and club owner George. 2009 saw both comedian Graham Norton and “Doctor Who” star John Barrowman in the drag queen guise, with the former performing a number of the show for Comic Relief earlier in the year.
The story of “La Cage Aux Folles” centres on the aforementioned characters – George, a gay nightclub owner and Albin, a drag entertainer and his star act. Together they run the club La Cage Aux Folles, situated in the St Tropez region of Southern France, and live a happy and successful life together, with their relationship going from strength to strength. But all of this seems to come crashing down when they hear the news that George’s son Jean-Michel has become engaged to a right wing politician – someone who is against the unique and vibrant night life of the area and is intent on closing it down, taking La Cage Aux Folles with it.
It is a clash of culture as Jean-Michel’s prospective in-laws arrange to meet them at the club, with George and Albin left to hide their lifestyle and keep the truth away from the politician and his wife, keeping everyone happy. That is except Albin, who feels persecuted by the proceedings and questions whether he should cooperative.
It is a modern day classic, containing plenty of laughs and smiles; a compelling story of keeping family together and going to extreme lengths to make people happy. It is likely to leave a grin on anyone’s face, with songs such as “I Am What I Am”, “We Are What We Are”, “La Cage Aux Folles”, “With You On My Arm”, “The Best Of Times” and “Masculinity”.
Amongst the stars of the show is Douglas Hodge who appeared as Albin in the original run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, returning alongside Denis Lawson in the Autumn of 2009. Hodge has appeared in West End productions such as “Guys And Dolls” at the Piccadilly Theatre as well as screen work in “Doctor Who” and “Spooks”. Meanwhile Lawson has appeared in programmes such as “Bleak House” and “Jeckyll” as well as movies such as “Star Wars” in which he portrayed Wedge Antilles.
S
o make sure you head on down to the West End and enjoy the sights and antics of the French Riviera in “La Cage Aux Folles”!
“La Cage Aux Folles” continues at its home of the Playhouse Theatre, where it continues to take bookings into 2010.
Reviews
Starts very slowly but is no better than an OK show
Michelle Bittersweet and quite charming the revival is better than the original because it is more secure of itself. The demi-monde of Les Carousels de Paris et toutes les homages comme ca remain fragile brittle and magnificent tout meme...'Cages' is a sublime example of the genre. Such a shame it is not in the West End for a longer run.
Moira Hemson
