Dave Cartwright went along to see La Cage aux Folles at Leeds Grand Theatre…
After a long, hard day of work, there is nothing better than a serving of glitter, glamour and show-stopping dance routines…and that’s just my Saturday night! However, this week I was privy to a Tuesday night helping of all things ‘fabulous’ as I attended Bill Kenwright’s touring production of La Cage Aux Folles at Leeds Grand Theatre.
If you haven’t seen Nathan Lane and Robin Williams in the brilliant cult film adaption entitled The Birdcage or the 1978 Franco-Italian version starring the hilarious Ugo Tognazzi and Michel Serrault, the story follows a showbiz gay couple trying to manage their impending first time meeting with their son’s ultra-conservative in-laws to be. Naturally all the ingredients are set out for utter mayhem.
Set to the backdrop of the racey, St Tropez drag club from which the musical gets its name, we are plunged into a world of mirrored walls, peacock decor and fur couture. George (Adrian Zmed), owner of the club and sporting a tan that would make David Dickinson shield his eyes, introduces us to the zesty showgirls (guys) whose slender legs kick the show into action.
With all the juice and joy of a bag of Tutti Fruity’s the performers tickle us through an emotional rollercoaster of ballads. At the centre of it all stands Albin (John Partridge) and his drag queen alter-ego Zaza. Partridge is sublime! His masculine physique and baritone voice provide a beautiful contrast to a considered and almost hypnotic feminine physicality. His harnessing of his accent which initially I thought would jar, ended up bringing a genuine, honesty to the performance. One moment where this truly excelled was when Partridge was given time on the stage, alone with the audience. His navigation of humour and detailed timing gave a nod to the art form of stand up drag and somehow felt quintessentially Northern in it’s charm.
Supported by a sterling cast, including the legendary Marti Webb playing Madame Jacqueline and Samson Ajewole whose camp costumes and ruthless demeanour had an almost ‘Paris is Burning’ sass to it, the evening was everything you want from a piece of musical theatre. With the musical’s main themes of acceptance, “family values” and pride still ricocheting through our parliament and reverberating into our streets, I was overjoyed to be able to leave the theatre wrapped in the knowledge that ‘I am What I am.’ I strongly recommend, wherever you are on that journey, that you go and experience this too.