A Multi Level Musical

La Cage Aux Folles

The only things I knew about La Cage Aux Folles was "I am what I am" and that the film Birdcage was made based on it. I love the movie so was very keen to see the musical it was based on and the star studded cast (John Partridge, Marti Webb and Adrian Zmed) sealed the deal. 

As we took our seats in the theatre I was impressed by the elaborate set - a red, velvet curtain with intricate mirrored embellishments. It was like we were being seated in La Cage Aux Folles itself. 

The show opened with Georges (our host) welcoming us and introducing the company with "We Are What We Are". 

Georges and his partner Albin run La Cage Aux Folles - a nightclub featuring drag entertainment - in St Tropez. Theirs is a long standing relationship of over 20 years and Albin helped raise Georges's son Jean-Michele when his mother left decades before. 

Jean-Michele is now ready to settle down and marry Anne. Her parents are ultra conservative and Jean-Michele is keen to impress so implores his Father to send Albin away while they wine and dine the in-laws. 

This is a multi levelled musical. On one level it's full of glitz, glamour, amazing costumes and vibrant musical numbers. 

On another level it's about family and what makes a family. 

A family isn't just a Mother, Father and child. It's people who deeply care about each other and put that first above everything else. Be it a community who come together to help their friends in the case of Jacqueline (played by Marti Webb) and Monsieur et Madam Renaud or   Georges and Albin who have a strong partnership and have brought up Jean-Michele with the assistance of the "butler" Jacob. There's also the family at the nightclub with La Cagelles & Francis. 

I found the first act felt a little slow but once Albin's alter ego Za Za was on stage the show came alive. The Mayflower audience were privileged to become participants in a La Cage show. John Partridge's performance in this part of the show was exciting. It was improvised and included members of the audience and orchestra and truly broke the ice and allowed us to relax and be entertained. This was followed by the heartbreaking performance of "I Am What I Am" by Albin which brought the house down and almost resulted in a standing ovation at end of Act One. 

Act Two moves along a quicker pace culminating in the meal with the in laws at Chez Jacqueline and eventually Jean-Michele coming to his senses and realising where and with whom his loyalties should lie. 

I throughly enjoyed the show. John Partridge was simply amazing. He made Albin a fully rounded character and I was moved by his believable portrayal of a parent, a partner and a performer. 

Marti Webb is a classy edition to the cast and brings a sparkle to a relatively small part. 

The young actors who play La Cagelles were amazing. I assumed they must have been professional drag acts the way the dances in heels and wigs however from looking at the program I could see that they're "just" musical theatre performers. I wonder if they went to Drag camp?! 

As usual we enjoyed our trip to the Mayflower.  Whilst the theatre itself doesn't have a car park there are lots nearby as well as the railway station. We choose Grosvenor Square just a short 5 min walk away and it only cost £2 flat fee after 6pm.

La Cage Aux Folles is on at The Mayflower until 24th June. Tickets are still available £24-£44.50

4/5

<I was not paid for this review but I did receive free tickets via Whatsgoodtodo.co.uk>