I wouldn’t have picked it myself, as I thought it would just be another silly musical. But I went along with a friend and yes it was a musical but it was far from silly. La Cage Aux Folles (which first was a play then a film, then a US film with Robin Williams (The Bird Cage) and now a musical on the London West End) was uplifting and touching.
The idyllic existence of Georges and the dazzling drag artiste Albin, star of the La Cage aux Folles club, is threatened when Georges’ son announces his engagement to the daughter of a right-wing politician, who wants to close down the local colourful nightlife! With a visit from the prospective in-laws imminent, they all decide to take drastic action to hide their lifestyle… but can they keep it up?
Worth seeing alone for Graham Norton who gave a surprisingly steady performance as Albin, drag queen extraordinaire. (But be quick as his last performance is next week. The show will extend its run though, just with another cast).
If you like a feel good musical with a good story then this is your thing. It’s also very watchable for the incredible dance performances of the rest of the male dragqueens. I think I might have to see the Priscilla Queen of the Desert musical now too.
Official website for La Cage aux Folles
[Rating: 5/5]
I liked ‘The Bird Cage’ a lot and Graham is hilarious on his own show. He looks very convincing as a drag queen, I’m very sorry I can’t see him like that in real life.
But Priscilla the Musical… the movie was fantastic, wouldn’t it be a letdown ??
Priscilla gets mostly positive reviews, it’s camp but what else could you expect, they even have Jason Donovan as one of the drag queens! But also Priscilla seems to have a lot of good and cheerful tunes, and should be a feel-good spectacle to watch. I am going to give it a go!
I never saw the Bird Cage as a film, but will do so now. Graham was absolute perfect for this role, it didn’t seem to be a stretch at all for him to play a drama queen. :)
this sounds so good. I really miss London!
It was very good indeed, and very cheerful!