LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
tells the story of Georges, the owner of a glitzy nightclub in
lovely Saint-Tropez, and his partner Albin, who moonlights as the
glamorous chanteuse Zaza.
When Georges’ son brings his
fiancée’s conservative parents home to meet the flashy pair,
the bonds of family are put to the test as the feather boas fly!
LACAGE is a tuneful and touching
tale of one family’s struggle to stay together... stay
fabulous... and above all else, stay true to themselves!
La Cage aux Folles Stoke Repertory Theatre
WHEN La Cage aux Folles first hit the American stage in 1982, it was still considered shocking to laugh at a show that portrayed two homosexual men living like a married couple. It was still considered quite daring when the show first appeared in Stoke-on-Trent, at the Queen's Theatre in Burslem in 1991.
Now, men living together and even marrying is so commonplace that the concept no longer shocks and it is even easier to laugh at the outrageous situations in this hilarious yet beautiful show.
Set on the French Riviera, this is the story of Albin, the star of the drag nightclub La Cage aux Folles, and his partner Georges. When Georges's son Jean-Michel, the result of a one-night stand, announces he wants to marry the daughter of anti-gay American senator Edward Dindon all hell breaks loose.
Jean-Michel is in a quandary. His fiancée's parents want to meet his parents and he decides that he cannot possibly introduce Albin as his mother. So the fun starts, with all sorts of comic twists and turns until the problem is finally resolved to almost everyone's satisfaction.
A major feature of this show is the nightclub's line of chorus girls, Les Cagelles, except some of them are not girls. They are transvestite men in stunning costumes and provide a lot of the show's humour, as well as some breathtaking dance routines, all beautifully choreographed by director Laura Harvey.
Rob Lawton gives a comic and tender performance. His version of the gay anthem, 'I am what I am', brought the house down.
As Georges, Mark Hilton moves effortlessly from comedy to pathos and back again and his rendering of the show's other famous song, The Song of the Sand, is a joy to hear.
Tom Maurice and Siobhan Webb are perfectly matched as the young lovers and John Stone and Wendy Manns provide lots of laughs as Ann's parents. Rosemary Gresty is a vivacious Jaqueline, owner of the Riviera's top restaurant.
This show is full of beautiful songs and musical director Liz Talbot has done a superb job in ensuring they were well sung.
Porthill Players have given us an evening of dazzling costumes, beautiful music and lots of laughter in this new production of an old favourite.
Sentinel
Newspaper - May 16 2013
