La Cage aux Folles

From February, visitors to Sunderland can experience their latest tourist attraction, the ATG National Group Booking Call Centre.

The KFC on the high street in Sunderland closed down years ago due to Rats and poor food hygiene (no word of a lie).
There about 10 Greggs in the town centre though 😂😂

That said, don't go into the Sunderland Empire box office to try and buy a single seat, or rather leave a single seat by itself. The most dreadful and unaccommodating staff I have ever come across in a theatre box office.

Just home from a very well received matinee in Oxford. It is not often that I am one of the youngest in an audience - but it was definitely an elderly crowd in (not that unusual for a matinee, I guess)

Adrian Zmed comes pretty close to ruining the show. He can sing reasonably well - but he simply does not know the dialogue. He stumbled time after time after time - from the opening through to the finale introduction. He looks uncomfortable in his own skin and comes too close to being embarrassing. He lacks the necessary chemistry with John Patridge to convince us that they are long-term couple who really do love one another. He really should be recast as a matter of some urgency - there are plenty of middle-aged character actors who can take over and do a much, much better job.

In terms of positives, this is probably the best Kenwright set that I have seen out on tour. Ok this is week one and so it hasn't been bashed around in the trucks - but it has a solid, quality feel - which is something you don't usually associate with Billy K. The mirrored side sections are distracting when you can see the activity in the wings - a bit of frosting spray would resolve that!

The choreography (once it is really embedded) is strong. The Cagelles have good flexibility but could do more to link their facial expressions to the mood of the number - at the moment it feels as if you can see their minds working to remember the steps. But they work well as an ensemble.

The costumes have seen plenty of investment - and it is great to see such a strong look for the show. A couple of the outfits really don't work. The peacock dress is a mistake and Mother's look doesn't work - but overall, it is a visual feast.

Now on to the tricky part - John Partridge. He is far, far better than I had anticipated from his lamentable outing in Chicago. He is at home vocally (other than a couple of ill-judged top notes) and is in control of the stage. However he is just too good-looking for the role. This is something that was true of Barrowman when he took over in the West End. Someone who looks that good in drag just doesn't work for me. Albin is past his prime and he knows it. It is what fuels his insecurities, his jealousy towards the Cagelles. His fear of rejection should be palpable. Partridge has none of that underlying pain and worry - and if he could find it, the show would improve massively. I should be in tears along with Zsa Zsa at the end of the first act and I wasn't.

The best recent Albins (Hodge and Allam) have brought real depth to the part - someone who tugs at the heart strings. Partridge is entertaining but it feels a superficial interpretation at this stage.

Partridge is giving a Blackpool rather than a Riviera Zsa Zsa - and that will not matter to many. But to those of us who know the piece - and in particular the wonderful Menier production - it is a crucial difference.

The band is great and overall the score emerges as one of the Broadway greats. Herman was on top form with this piece and the production serves it well.

So not as bad as I had feared, but still some work before it can rival the best interpretations.

Im not sure if this has been posted yet but I just found it online. I think he does a good job of it although Im not convinced with the direction that he have a northern accent

That video of him has more emotional depth than he gives it on stage. Possibly the video direction helps in that.

But it still feels like a superficial interpretation compared to many I have seen. As a song, it is about a lot more than just being true to himself in terms of outward appearance - and that is the only level we get from Partridge.

At least he sings it better than he did Billy Flynn

During the title song he does interact with the front row, a lot. No holding hands from what I recall.

www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/first-look-la-cage-aux-folles-john-partridge_42622.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=10jan2017

I'm almost afraid to say it but this looks pretty impressive for Kenwright

Have any other dates been cancelled apart from Malvern ? Anyone know why ?

Arr ok yep maybe ....Malvern is quite small ... as playing the hippodrome in Birmingham couldn't get more different lol

I saw this in Dublin last week. I found it very enjoyable overall and the crowd certainly adored it.

Adrian Zmed was the weakest link for me- he fluffed a few lines and I found him cringey overall. I didn't find the relationship between him and Zsa Zsa to be believable at all.

There's lots to recommend, though. Wonderful staging, sumptuous costumes and great choreography. John Partridge was superb and gave his all.

As a show, I am not sure if it would be one of my favourites- there are only a few songs that I really love and this production felt a little pantomime at times. Still, I would say it's worth seeing for sure.

Have people here seen the trailer?

^ It happened twice or three times I think. I just found it difficult to watch him onstage. He's a talented man but he felt miscast and cringe worthy for me at times.

He's got a decent voice but he's not right for this show. He reminds me of Barry Manilow.