La Cage aux Folles  ☆☆☆☆
Park Theatre, London 

Many people will know the hilarious La Cage aux Folles from one of its many previous incarnations including three French films (1978,1980 and 1985), a musical version from 1983, and the Hollywood version featuring Robin Williams in 1996. Why might you ask do we need yet another version? Well this adaptation by Simon Callow is the ‘straight’ play version (written by Jean Poiret) which has never been presented in English (but ran for years in Paris) and keeps the original time of early seventies and location of St Tropez and largely stays faithful to the French text. It is unequivocally terrific.

Yes, some of the references are museum pieces, and some of the visual gags didn’t quite work but the main thrust; that the power of drag can conquer adversity, that ‘found families’ are valid and have worth, still brings a potent feel-good force which runs deep throughout this show and has reached the mainstream (see Pose/Drag Race/AJ and the Queen).

Nightclub owner Georges and his drag queen partner Albin (Madame ZaZa) have created a very popular cabaret venue in St Tropez. Georges, however, has a son who announces his engagement to the daughter of a notoriously right-wing politician Monsieur Priedieu. What follows is a an incredibly fast paced, high octane farce where the manic comings and goings of the characters, and outrageous antics keep the belly laughs coming.

Jacob the black ‘maid’ complete with little maids’ uniform (a character supersized by the wonderful Syrus Lowe) creates a slightly surreal feel to the play as each moment he is on stage he presents a stereotyped character, stylised and pushed to the max. As a technique, it invites all the prejudices and then proceeds to demolish them with humour and sheer strength of character. Jacob alone gives the play another layer of political bite even before we get to the Priedieu’s and their particularly nasty brand of intolerant conservatism which isn’t toned down here at all.

Jacob also helps to balance out the centre of gravity within the play as Madame ZaZa (portrayed by comic genius Paul Hunter) inevitably dominates each scene and the precision, physicality and sheer dexterousness of Hunter’s performance (intriguingly laced with a little pathos) ensures we are in no doubt as to whom is House Mother. Michael Matus brings huge charm as his long-suffering partner Georges, and manages to steer his character through tricky moral choices and come out the other end intact.

This is a supremely funny if uneven production, directed by Jez Bond and presented by an exceptional ensemble cast. Were Queerguru to gaze into our crystal ball, this version of La Cage Aux Folles will prove to be phenomenally popular and performed far and wide for years to come.

Plays: 12 Feb – 21 Mar
https://www.parktheatre.co.uk

WRITER | JEAN POIRET
ADAPTOR | SIMON CALLOW​
DIRECTOR | JEZ BOND

REVIEW : JONNY WARD