Haven't noticed any chat about this on the Board... so just to mention that there are still discounts available from the Box Office for the previews 20 Oct. - 6 Nov. http://www.lacagelondon.com/

Anyone know the full cast?

http://westend.broadwayworld.com/l.cfm?id=222316 - full cast.

got my tickets for the friday night. anyone know how different the cast is from the one at the chocolate factory?

There are rumours that if the show extends next year Graham Norton may make his West End debut in one of the lead roles (although nothing is confirmed).

Looking forward to seeing Duncan Smith in this. What a CV!

David Farley is no longer the designer! It's now Tim Shortall. What happened? ... Farley's sets did look very cramped and ugly at the MCF. IMHO!

Fascinating that this seems to be generating almost no interest on this board, even though it's been previewing all week.

Anyone seen it yet?

Anyone?!

Apparently they had a standing ovation on the first night and the show is selling very well. I have tickets for the 4th . Have never seen it before so am really looking forward to it.

I went to see this show on Friday night after a bad week at work and not sure I was really in the mood for it. I am pleased to report that it was a really enjoyable evening and one that helped me to forget the week just gone. I had aimed to see La Cage at when it was originally on last year at the Chocolate Factory but couldn't get a ticket. I thought this show was excellent - as an admirer of Douglas Hodge from his Capital City days his performance is a real show stopper! Equally Denis Lawson gives a really moving rendition of the Song on the Sand number and has a lovely voice. Inevitably the highlight of the first half is the closing number "I am what I am" and Hodge's delivery was very moving and struck exactly the right message at this key stage of the show. Equally the second half show stopper was the entire company performing "The Best of Times" - it got the entire audience smiling and laughing - a real tonic in these difficult times. Staging wise I thought the show was very clever transferring us deftly from La Cage itself on to Georges and Albin's flat and on to a beach side cafe and then to the glamorous Jacqueline's resturant where Albin gives his show stopping performance of The Best of Times. I must also say that the entire cast seem to be enjoying bringing this show to the Playhouse with a real warmth to the Finale. Overall I really enjoyed the show and plan to go back to see it again. I will be interested to see views from others in due course

im going tonight and i canne wait. ive never even seen La Cage before so im really looking forward to it!

I saw the show on Wednesday.
First of all, I wasn't sure what it was about, and for the first 10 minutes I thought that I wasn't in the mood for it, the gay stuff, transvestites etc. HOWEVER, I absolutely LOVED it!!!
Once I got into the story, I got pulled in further and further into it and was really moved, especially by "I am what I am" at the end of the firat act, what a moving moment.
I really believed the characters, and the cast was really strong,. especially Douglas Hodge in the lead, sometime he reminded me on Danny La Rue and then he was like Alan Carr, what a feat to act that part from start to finish, I take my hat off to him.
The dancing and choreography was fantastic as well, I can't believe men can do those things with their bodies!
All I can say is I hope that this is now a hit show, since it flopped way back in the 80's. I think we are all more used to gay partnerships now so surely people will go along and admire the spectacle that this show is and it will run and run.
All the best to the cast and thanks for a fantastic evening

Ive not seen it at the Playhouse but went to see it at the Menier and absolutely loved it. Great feelgood show especially at the moment with all the doom and gloom. Douglas Hodge was superb. I know a few people who have seen this new production and all have reported good things. Im trying not to go to see things over and over again due to finances at the moment but I might have to make an exception with this show as I need a bit of cheering up!

I saw it last night, not knowing the story or any music (aside from "I Am What I Am"). The whole production was excellent. There was so much energy from the cast and the story draws you in really well.

I don't think the Playhouse production is quite as good as the Menier one. They loose so much of the intimacy that works so well for that show. At the Menier you were actually in La Cage whereas at the Playhouse you are just watching it (unless sat at one of the tables at the front).
I also thought the cagelles weren't as attractive as the Menier bunch!!!

That said, it is still an absolutely brilliant show and appeals to so many different people. I would definitely recommend it, especially if you missed out on the Menier production.

Saw this last Wednesday in a party of six, and have been recommending it to anyone who will listen ever since. Three of us have booked to go again together, the other three are taking other people too! A really good evening, a show with warmth and heart. I had been concerned that it might be a spectacular vegas style production, but not at all. Cast were great, Douglas Hodge was nothing like I have anything like I have seen him before. The whole audience left grinning and humming after the well deserved standing ovation! Just go!

Don't suppose you were at the front of the Dress Circle?
There was a party beside me, passed the chocolates round?
We're planning to go back as well. I do amateur musicals and would love to have a crack at this one.
Mind you, I can't see anyone beating Douglas Hodge, took me a few minutes to warm to him but wow, a performance and a half!

I'd be interested to hear how the design differs from when the production was at the Menier. I didn't think the set was particularly strong there, although I loved the curtains!

Fantastic show!

Amazing cast!

We sat at one of the tables last night (Mon 27th Oct) at the front and one of the "girls" danced on our table. We have booked to see it twice more as it is so good - every song is a winner!

We went to see it at the Menier and loved it – great it has come back at the Westend

Due to signal failure on the underground i was stuck at wembley and missed performance which i paid £35 for. i was a tad miffed to say the least

Saw a snippet of this last night on London Tonight. It looked fab … the new sets are so much better looking then lawful brick flats we had at the MCF

Saw a preview performance this week. Fabulous production. Completely re thought from the Palladium production from whence all other amateur shows have copied -there not being a pro revival since. I wondered at first if I missed the spectacle - only 6 cagelles etc but was soon completely won over by the staging, sets, and great performances, especially from Douglas Hodge - who isn’t "like that" at all - true acting -very rarely seen now in this age of celebrity. Really enjoyed it, I'd love to see it again but it’s only on for a limited run. We will see if it extends - hopefully it will - smallish cast, small theatre, and has the Hairspray factor of a man in a frock which appeals to the ladies for some reason! The only thing I found missing from the production was a lack of frisson in the subject matter which was very much there in the early 80’s. "I am what I am" had more emotional clout back then than it does today though that is taking away nothing from Douglas Hodges performance. Albin and Georges kiss at the end of the show in this production which was a bridge too far back then - it brought it home how much society has changed in attitude to homosexuality. Part of the reason for the show’s early demise in the 80’s was that as well as the Aids scare the show " did not appeal to the coach parties"- an essential ingredient in keeping a big musical open. Hopefully this will have a very successful extended run - it's a great night out - a very funny show. Go - enjoy!

Book your tickets before this sells out and no doubt maybe get extended due to 10 week run only!!! Went to see it last Saturday night. It is sad, funny, laugh-out loud, tears..a roller coaster and makes you proud to be who you are!!! Brilliant cast.

I saw this last night and really loved it. The dancing boys/girls were brilliant. My friend and I were in awe of what they could do with their bodies, and it made me feel very ashamed that they can all walk in heels better than I can and I'm a girl. Douglas Hodge's performance is touching and hilarious. He got a standing ovation and I mean a genuine, heartfelt one, not one where the audience is dragged to their feet by the cast whether they like it or not. I can't recommend it highly enough.

What is the actor like who is now playing Georges? I really didn't think anyone could top Quast in that role currently...was very depressed when I heard he was not transferring with the show...

I heard that they were all boys this time around? (or is that a spoiler?)

Denis Lawson plays Georges - absolutely superb - great voice, an accomplished MT performer. I did not see the Menier production so cannot compare him to Quast. Yes the Cagelles are all boys and they were superb. Highly recommended.

where is this show exactly ive been trying to track it down as its my best friends favourite show! ive heard a lot about it and i need find out some more information on it

Playhouse Theatre near Embankment

Get your tickets now - I sincerely recommend it in its current form (before Graham Norton is shoe horned in - much to my disappointment)

http://www.lacagelondon.com/home/

Saw this show and am really confused.

The show is fantastic... a great night out.

I think this is mostly due to Douglas Hodge who is outstanding. He's created a truly original character and it's just hilarious and perfectly played. The Cagelles are pretty good too.

However IMHO, the rest of the cast really aren't very good at all. Paula Wilcox is just appaling and her husband even worse. I have always admired Dennis Lawson too, I loved him in Local hero and Bob Martin and he was also great in the very average Heather Brother musical 'Lust'. I'm sorry to say he's very under par in this... the night I saw it, he kept forgetting his words and really wasn't focussed at all. The young couple really weren't strong enough either.

So... how odd and confusing.For once a show in the West End where the material is stronger than the cast. It's about time! GWTW and Marguerite were both awful but saved by the casts. This show is fantastic but let down by the cast.

Apart from Mr Hodge... Hope he's got big strong shoulders 'cos he's carrying the rest of them around!

Totally agree about Paula Wilcox... just 'am dram'. Shocking.
Rather telling that she's not mentioned in any of the reviews.

But don't critics generally like to point out the bad things about shows? What's stopped them in this case?

Saw the show for the first time on Tuesday evening and will definitely be back. Douglas Hodge was absolutely amazing and captivated the whole audience. This show delivers exactly what it says on the tin !!

Saw the matinee - Dennis Lawson was fine today as Georges, no probs with lines, etc. possibly didn't play it 'big' enough but maybe that's down to direction. Loved Paula Wilcox too.. can't see how she could be described as "appalling" and definitely not 'am-dram') at all. Maybe they've both improved since previews. Cagelles, for me, were the stars.

The show itself is wearing a tad thin around the edges after all these years.. but the songs stand up and this production does everything with enough pizzazz to make it a great and, at the right times, moving experience.

Saw it in previews and loved it - loved it - loved it!

Doug Hodge was fab - what a powehouse performance! Also really liked Dennis Lawson in it - the two of them together had great chemistry.

Loved 'I am...', 'The Best of Times' and 'La Cage aux Folles' - the obviously best numbers in the show - but was suprised how much I enjoyed the other less known songs too...

The Cagellettes were fun and the costumes sweet though I did think the whole finish to the production (set wise) looked a little cheap... Does anyone know why its not the same designer as the Chocolate Factory production?

J

I saw the show this last Saturday and LOVED IT so much. Douglas Hodges' performance was incredible, and when he sang I am what i am before the interval I was moved to tears - it was gut wrenching! I don't know when he leaves, but I definately want to see him again and strongly recommend tjhat everyone else does too. Does anyone know his leaving date and who is taking over please?

It's only booking up to 10 Jan, and was announced as a 'limited run' show from the outset. Don't know what the box-office is like but given the good reviews, one might have hoped it would extend. Catch it while you can.

just heard that Graham Norton has had his pics done and is going to be in the show which will extend.... anyone confirm this ?

I heard Graham was going in to the studio to record the album at the beginning of Jan.

I saw yesterday that La Cage is to be included in the Royal Variety Show line-up next month. Justly deserved in my opinion. Although presumeably they will not be singing "The Best of Times " in view of the recession !!

Its not just the set designer who seems to have fallen by the wayside - I notice both the lighting and sound designers are different at the Playhouse. I can understand why they felt the need to replace the set and sound designer (both are significantly better than the Menheir version), but how come the lighting too? Mass fallout in chocolate factory land prehaps???

Aren't the Designer & Lighting Designer from the Choc Factory La Cage doing Night Music? Looks like you're adding 2 + 2 and making more than 4.

Does anyone remember the circs of the original Palladium production? I vaguely recall that, although it ran for 6 months, it was a financial flop.. and ruined its producer - a then famous name which now completely escapes me.. Prince Littler, HM Tennant? Help with this, anyone?

The famous producer is Harold Fielding and he was ruined by the london Palladium production of Ziegfeld. La Cage aux Folles at the Palladium wasn't a big hit as on Broadway but Ziegfeld was a historical flop.

Ah yes... well apart from the show and the producers' names, I was close (ahem). Thanks for putting me straight.

The Playhouse is an utterly different space to the Chocolate Factory. When you add that to the fact that the designers are still working at the Chocolate Factory, it doesn't sound at al unreasonable to get some new people in.

I saw the transfer last Thursday. I did think some of the acting had fallen by the wayside since the Chocolate Factory, but it was still a wonderful wonderful show, and the production itself has been kicked up several notches. Denis Lawson in particular stood out for me; his accent was wobbly and his dialogue wasn't as crisply enunciated as would have been nice, but omg it was worth every penny just to hear him sing 'Song on the Sand'. I kinda guessed he could sing, by the way they cast him in a musical, but I had no idea he was THAT GOOD. *_*

His accent was wobbly??!

He was doing a Scottish accent and he's... Scottish!

Sometimes he went a bit English, sometimes he went a tad French, and his singing accent was very firmly in the mid-Atlantic.

I thought that too when I saw him, it kept changing but it didn't annoy me or anything, but I found it quite noticeable...great performace though!

How likely am I to get discounted tickets from one of the booths on the 6th of December? Do they often have this? Only want 1 ticket and don't mind if its for matinee or evening!