La Cage aux Folles

Yes, as we said a couple of months ago, this production follows the traditional story and is scenically set in St Tropez but it also strongly references the UK, most noticeably with the characterisation of Albin and the Northern club entertainment vibe. For me, this made the show blatantly much more relevant to us all now, here in the UK.

Presumably, the original production seemed relevant to Broadway in a similar manner. The story was set in St Tropez but the book music and lyrics are firmly and absolutely in the style of the Broadway musical.

When La Cage aux Folles is produced in the UK, it can seem doubly distant from us, with its St Tropez story and its Broadway music and pizzazz. So, for me, one of the strengths of this production is that, while retaining the original story and music, it also directly introduces more local characterisation and cabaret environment.

I get that you didn't like that. But it improved the show for me and really made it fully connect with us. We have different opinions, as ever.

I haven't seen it yet, its at the Lowry in June. JP is probably licking his lips at the prospect of mining the rich seam that is Canal Street, llike we haven't heard every gag possible about that already.

I'm fine with putting a different spin on things, and updating productions for new audiences but not when it blatantly jars with what the piece is about. It sounds like they went down the easiest and most obvious route for a few cheap laughs.

However I'll reserve final judgement until June. I might eat my words!

Burly, you are my spirit animal!

I'm genuinely glad that others have liked it - I want theatre to succeed and if it did for others - great! Obviously there were problems with the performance I saw if the actor is asking the audience (after a long silence from something that I think was meant to be funny): 'Have I lost you?' (or does he always do that?) I hesitated to post my thoughts because I know it's annoying if you've loved something to have someone poke holes in it. I adored 'She Loves Me' and not everyone else did - and I was like 'I can't believe it, it's heaven.'
But that is what makes the board interesting. And we're all seeing slightly different shows, under different conditions.
(A personal pet peeve of mine is the 'I can't hear you' stuff - even in pantomimes I'm a bit yergh about that, so obviously I wouldn't be the ideal audience for that approach.)
Zmed: I talked to a lovely woman before the show who was there especially to see him, so he has his fans. I didn't feel entirely secure when he was on stage - to me, it felt a little tentative, but there were no obvious flubs. He's very short and some of the other performers, especially in heels, towered over him which made for some sight gags.

The "have a lost you?" is a scripted by John. It wasn't specific to the actual performance in question. Although the random German part was odd and rather eggy. It made sense in the moment.

I must admit, considering I am currently the youngest in the Dress Circle, it is lovely to see that the audience is mainly older people. Especially considering the subject, forgie me pre-judging, but I didn't think it would be that much embraced haha.

Ah lovely. And I do apologise if you thought me rude, it was wrong of me to pre-judge, but it is locely to see!

Ya see, I've always liked you!

I mean, what can you say haha.

It is a brilliant production thus far, John Partridge is stunning, and even Adrian is good! Very responsive audience too, though the Upper appears closed, and the back few rows of the Dress are empty, constant cleers and applause, with a few people even standing at the end of John's Act I finale, qnd totally deserved! He is amazing, as are the other Drag Queens. La Cage Aux Folle is my favourite number though, the choreography is amazing and the set is beautifully designed!

The stars of this were on the Graham Norton radio 2 show today. They played John singing I am what I am. It wasn't great!

Omg yes it was way too hot in there..totally agree..I walked back to the train station and to East London holding my jacket..It was blooming boiling inside 👿

I wonder if the world weary Cagelles was the director's choice rather than the cast being bored? It works for me, having seen many work weary drag queens perform!