This production began performances on 20th October 2008 and closed on 2nd January 2010.
★★★★★
I loved every toe-tapping moment. I, along with the rest of the audience, rose in unison at the end
Daily Mail
La Cage aux Folles is a timeless and deliciously funny tale of family values, unconditional love, and above all, the need to celebrate who we are.
★★★★
Bravo! At last a musical to sweep away those credit-crunch blues. This joyous show deserves every hurrah and standing ovation it receives
Daily Telegraph
The Menier Chocolate Factory's Olivier Award-winning production of La Cage aux Folles is now starring John Barrowman and Simon Burke.
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?
Jerry Herman's (Hello, Dolly!, Mack and Mabel and Mame) fabulous score includes I Am What I Am, The Best of Times and Song on the Sand.
The original production opened at the Palace Theatre on Broadway on 21 August 1983 where it became the biggest new American musical of the decade. It ran for 1,761 performances and won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book of a Musical. The show's song "I Am What I Am" became an instant hit in the pop charts and was recorded by a variety of artists, including Gloria Gaynor and Shirley Bassey.
★★★★
Suddenly the West End sparkles. Terry Johnson's production transfers triumphantly. Aided by Lynne Page's dazzling choreography, he makes a chirpy comedy into a beautiful bird of paradise. Sew on a sequin, slip into some heels and go
The Times
CAST
JOHN BARROWMAN – Albin
SIMON BURKE – Georges
GABRIEL VICK – Jean-Michele
IAIN MITCHELL – M. Renaud/M. Dindon
SYRUS LOWE – Jacob
ALICIA DAVIES – Anne
ABIGAIL MCKERN – Mms. Renaud/Mme. Dindon
TRACIE BENNETT – Jacqueline
KRISTOPHER MITCHELL – Phaedra
SIMON ARCHER – Mercedes
NICHOLAS CUNNINGHAM – Hanna
FAISAL KHODABUKAS – Chantal
MATT KRZAN – Swing
GARY MURPHY – Bibette
DANE QUIXALL – Angelique
SCOTT SPREADBURY – Swing
LOUISE DAVIDSON – Ensemble
DEAN CHISNALL – Etienne
SEBASTIEN TORKIA – Francis
CLAIRE WINSPER – Colette
CHRIS ANDREW MELLON – Tabarro
STEVE FORTUNE – Ensemble
CREATIVES
JERRY HERMAN – Music & Lyrics
HARVEY FIERSTEIN – Book
TERRY JOHNSON – Director
LYNNE PAGE – Choreographer
TIM SHORTALL – Set Designer
MATTHEW WRIGHT – Costume Designer
RICHARD MAWBEY – Wigs and Make-Up
JASON CARR – Musical Supervisor & Orchestrations
MICHAEL HASLAM – Musical Director