La Cage Aux Folles, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - review
From the very moment the curtain rose until the final bows, La Cage Aux Folles at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre this week delivers on every level, from the diamantes and high heels to the pink ruffled curtains, from the guys in tights to the false eyelashes and feathers.
Designer Gary McCann has certainly gone to town, creating a superb set to depict the notorious nightclub and ensures that the show has every aspect of glitz, glamour and copious amounts of camp! It’s lavish, luxurious and utterly and completely over the top, but wonderful and warming at the same time.
Georges and Albin are happily settled in their outrageous lives, running a highly successful nightclub, where Albin is the star attraction, Za Za. Domestic bliss reigns supreme and their son, Jean-Michele is the apple of their eye. However, when Jean-Michele announces that he intends to marry a homophobic politician’s daughter, all hell breaks loose when Albin takes it upon himself to pose as “Mother” in order to create the pretence that they are a completely normal family!
The 1996 movie version, The Bird Cage, starred the incomparable Robin Williams and comedy legend Nathan Lane; two very hard acts to follow. Add to that a host of West End and Broadway royalty who have appeared in the stage adaptations and the casting of this latest version was never going to be easy.
EastEnders and musical theatre star, John Partridge excels himself as Albin, offering a very unique take on the role, complete with northern accent and is totally different to any other characterisation of this part I have seen previously. For me, a devotee of the original La Cage Aux Folles, at times the characterisation felt a little confused and he is perhaps a little too butch, but there is no getting away from the fact that he can belt out a tune and had the audience in the palm of his hand from the off.
Adrian Zmed is perfectly cast as Georges whose mission in life is to keep Albin happy and working and the chemistry between the two works, although these two actors do make an odd couple!
Dougie Carter is superb as Jean-Michele, torn between his in-laws to be, his rather unconventional parents and the love of his life, in this case played by Alexandra Robinson, who lights up the stage in the role of Anne.
As you would expect, the wonderful Marti Webb brings finesse and elegance to the proceedings as Jacqueline, but I was so sorry that she was not allowed a solo song because I adore her rich, melodious voice. Director take note!
There were moments when The Cagelles, a line of beautiful dancers, (who are maybe not quite what they seem!), execute Bill Deamer’s exceptional choreography to perfection, but others where they slipped slightly out of sync. Never mind though, they still raised the roof with a spectacular Can-Can, show stopping kicks and negotiated a flight of illuminated stairs in high heels! These guys are probably the hardest working performers in the show and certainly deserve a mention.
The whole cast of this extravaganza were exceptional but for me, Samson Ajewole shone as the maid, Jacob, whose physical theatre skills and delivery of lines were hilarious. Yes, it is a skilfully written part, but he rang every drop of comedy out of it and almost stole the show.
Jerry Herman’s unforgettable score not only includes the anthem I Am What I Am, which every female and gay man must have sung out loud usually the influence of alcohol, but also a host of other incredible numbers with ingenious lyrics. A personal favourite of mine is With Anne On My Arm, which never fails to touch me, as it reminds me of a dear departed friend, and also A Little More Mascara, which come on ladies, is what we ladle on whenever we are feeling down!
Add to that the riotous script courtesy of Harvey Fierstein and it’s a recipe for total success.
The rousing opening, We Are What We Are, will stagger and astound and then number of after number roll along until we reach the stunning finale, The Best of Times which had the whole audience on their feet cheering.
There were a few bits and bobs missing in this updated version, which for me was a shame, but Martin Connor’s La Cage Aux Folles is uplifting, glamorous, enchanting and dazzling, and I bet there wasn’t a man in the audience last night who didn’t wonder what it’s like to be bedecked in sequins and feathers!
Pure entertainment and completely unmissable!
Runs until Saturday. 01902 429212 or www.grandtheatre.co.uk for tickets.
