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| Douglas Hodge as Albin/Zaza |
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La Cage Tour Cancelled, Lack of 'Suitable Stars'Date: 23 October 2009
The UK tour of the multi award-winning Menier Chocolate Factory revival of La Cage aux Folles, which was due to commence in February 2010, has been postponed until further notice.
A statement from producers reads: “Due to the non-availability of suitable star artists for the particularly challenging lead roles in La Cage aux Folles, the producers have regrettably decided to postpone the forthcoming UK tour.”
The tour was due to start at the Chuchill Theatre in Bromley on 5 February, before visiting the Milton Keynes Theatre, Brighton Theatre Royal, Sunderland Empire Theatre, Salford Lowry and the New Theatre, Oxford. Ticket holders should contact the point of sale for refunds.
Terry Johnson's revival of Jerry Herman’s 1983 Broadway musical comedy opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory at Christmas 2007, before transferring in October 2008 to the West End’s Playhouse. It has picked up multiple awards, including two Oliviers and two Whatsonstage.com Awards.
Since Olivier award-winner Douglas Hodge stepped out of his stilettos, the role of Albin/Zaza has been tackled by chat show host Graham Norton, Roger Allam and, currently, John Barrowman (See 1st Night Photos, 6 Oct 2009). Barrowman plays opposite Simon Burke as the new Georges, the role originally played by Philip Quast and subsequently by Denis Lawson.
It was recently announced that Douglas Hodge will return to the show this Christmas prior to a planned Broadway transfer in 2010 (See News 2 Oct 2009).
Based on the 1973 French play by Jean Poiret and subsequent 1978 French-Italian screen version, the musical focuses on a gay couple – Georges, the manager of a St Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his star attraction - and the adventures that ensue when Georges' son Jean-Michel brings home his fiancée's ultra-conservative parents to meet them.
La Cage aux Folles has a book by Harvey Fierstein (Torch Song Trilogy) and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, whose other classics include Hello Dolly!, Mame and Mack and Mabel. The score features songs including “I Am What I Am”, “The Best of Times”, “Song on the Sand”, “Masculinity” and the title number.
- by Theo Bosanquet
