La Cage aux Folles
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Introduction to "La Cage aux Folles"
"La Cage aux Folles" premiered in London’s West End at the London Palladium on May 7, 1986, running for approximately 301 performances before closing in January 1987. With music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and a book by Harvey Fierstein, this musical adapts Jean Poiret’s 1973 French play into a vibrant celebration of love and identity. Directed by Arthur Laurents, it starred George Hearn as Albin and Denis Quilley as Georges. After a triumphant Broadway debut in 1983, its West End transfer dazzled with hits like "I Am What I Am," winning over audiences. Revived in 2008 at the Playhouse Theatre, where it snagged the 2009 Olivier for Best Musical Revival, it remains a glittering testament to acceptance and theatrical flair.
The Creative Team Behind the Show
Jerry Herman’s soaring score and lyrics, including "The Best of Times," pair with Harvey Fierstein’s witty book, rooted in Poiret’s play. Arthur Laurents directed the 1986 staging, with Scott Salmon’s choreography bringing the Cagelles’ drag spectacle to life. George Hearn reprised his Tony-winning Albin, alongside Denis Quilley’s suave Georges, with Peter Land as Jean-Michel and Briony McRoberts as Anne. The 2008 revival, directed by Terry Johnson, featured Douglas Hodge’s Olivier-winning Albin and Denis Lawson’s Georges. Producers Allan Carr and Robert Stigwood, with Tommy Tune’s Broadway influence, shaped its debut, while Menier Chocolate Factory’s transfer team including Sonia Friedman refined its West End legacy, blending heart and razzle-dazzle.
A Drag Club Tale of Family and Love
Georges manages La Cage aux Folles, a St. Tropez drag club where his partner Albin shines as Zaza. Their idyllic life with Georges’ son Jean-Michel, raised by Albin faces a test when Jean-Michel announces his engagement to Anne, daughter of anti-gay politician Edouard Dindon. To impress the Dindons, Georges urges Albin to pose as a straight “uncle,” sparking chaos when Albin instead dons drag as Jean-Michel’s “mother.” Songs like "A Little More Mascara" and "La Cage aux Folles" fuel the farce, ending with the Dindons’ humiliation and Georges and Albin’s bond reaffirmed a joyous ode to authenticity amid a conservative clash.
Performance and Reception
The 1986 Palladium opening earned warm applause, with Hearn’s “towering” Albin lauded by The Times, though its 301-show run trailed Broadway’s 1,761. Critics embraced its “tuneful exuberance,” per The Guardian, despite some finding it dated. The 2008 Playhouse revival, after Menier Chocolate Factory, ran over 400 performances, with Whatsonstage.com hailing Hodge’s “punch and pizzazz,” securing an Olivier. Audiences adored the Cagelles’ flair and Herman’s anthems, though a 2005 BBC Two airing of the National Theatre version drew 63,000 complaints over its bold content. From 1986’s charm to 2023’s Regent’s Park revival, it’s thrived as a crowd-pleaser with edge.
Legacy in West End Theatre
"La Cage aux Folles" broke ground as Broadway’s first gay-centered musical hit, its 1986 West End debut and 2008 revival plus runs at Regent’s Park (2023) totaling over 1,000 performances in London. Its six 1984 Tonys, including Best Musical, and 2009 Olivier for Best Revival underscore its acclaim. A 1996 film, "The Birdcage," and global stagings from Australia to Japan spread its reach, with cast recordings charting high. Herman’s anthem "I Am What I Am" became a gay icon, influencing works like "Priscilla." From Palladium to Playhouse, it endures as a West End beacon of love, drag, and defiance, redefining musical comedy with heart.