Three hours of laughter and levity. From the moment the curtains went up on the sumptuous set with spectacular costumes for the iconic song “I am what I am”, the audience was enthralled.
It was a spectacle. An extravaganza. There was fun. There was fire. There was sadness. There were over-the-top drama queen diva tantrums. The actors were utterly camp one minute and sensitively caring the next. There was tap, Ballroom and Can Can dancing. And everything was steeped in the play’s French roots.
La Cage aux Folles is the story of gay couple Albin and Georges trying to hide their life running a drag club when their straight son wants to introduce his parents to the homophobic politician father of his intended bride.
I loved the film – and particularly the performances of Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. So I was worried that the stage production of the original play would disappoint. But it didn’t. Adrian Zmed as Georges conveyed the showman one minute and the conflicted father torn between son and partner the next. John Partridge as Albin – with a Lancashire accent – warmed into his role quickly. He can certainly sing. And his various solo performances – both emotional torch songs and risque ad-lib interactions with the audience – were doused in cutting wit one moment and heartfelt drama the next. He sizzled.
Samson Ajewole as Jacob the maid – just how tall is he? – showed some real sass. Marti Webb’s appearance as Jacqueline, a nearby restaurant owner, went down a storm. My companion was overjoyed to see her perform. The restaurant scene – with everyone bursting into song – must surely go down in musical comedy theatre history.
Costume and set designer Gary McCann did an outstandig job. For the cabaret numbers there was glitter and glamour, feathers and fans, sequins and shimmer. The attention to detail was astonishing - even the dancers’ shoes were electric blue for the peacock number. Every outfit – including those beyond the show numbers - was a perfect statement in its own right.
The standing ovation was well-deserved. I stepped out of the theatre feeling lifted. It’s fabulous. And its universal appeal will delight young and old, the gay and the straight.
La Cage aux Folles plays at The New Wimbledon Theatre until 18th March. UK tours dates include Dartford in May, Woking in June and Milton Keynes in August.
