Explosive performances and memorable tunes highlight The Vancouver Playhouse’s newest treat: La Cage aux Folles. Perfect timing sees this comic gem light up the holiday spirit. Relationships can be tricky at the best of times. Plans of mar­riage can further ramp up emo­tions. Imagine the difficulty of the son of gay parents about to marry a girl whose mom and dad are in­tolerant. This provides the hilarity behind La Cage aux Folles, a new tour de farce that truly wears its heart on its sleeve. Full of pomp and circumstance this two and a half hour show largely centres on the relationship between two gay men, stars in their own mind. Each sole works at the infamous bawdy club on the French Riviera. Georges is the more sedate of the pair and MC’s the evenings while Albin is the more unpredictable, raun­chy and talent-minded as alter ego Za Za. Perfectly matched in their roles are David Marr and Greg Armstrong-Morris with the latter having the added burden (?) of liking to dress in women’s clothing. Their close nit lifestyle comes under the gun when son Jean-Michel decides to take a wife, a young girl born to a vicious politician who would like nothing better than to stamp out the gay lifestyle and anything else that doesn’t fit his norms.

Intolerance is at the heart of La Cage aux Folles as is discrimina­tion and family and these films are wonderfully brought to light. Bigotry is bad and the love and warmth these two grown men show to one another is palpable. Oh, and on the fun side there are loads of fancy costumes, high stepping plume adorned show­girls and knockout songs to leave you in a tizzy.

Each character here is well defined, the dialogue excessively clever and a revolving stage per­fectly suited to the changing times and emotions the cast of La Cage aux Folles goes through. Even the background entertainers are a riot and will bring the house down with laughter. Taken obviously from the hit European and Broadway plays with faithful homage to the Hol­lywood movie our local La Cage aux Folles production is equally as good if not better. Acceptance is at the heart of this engaging full value local program and now, more than ever, needs to be seen by one and all.

If you’re looking for a good laugh and performers that pour their heart out to everyone then La Cage aux Folles fits the bill perfectly. Credit director Max Re­imer for pulling off a major theat­rical coup here as the cast really is smoking hot (and we’re not just talking the luscious leggy show­girls here). Out to steal your heart among the strong secondary back-up characters are Vincent Tong as mischievous Jacob and man of all seasons John McHen­ry, neck brace and all whose able to keep a stiff upper lip through­out while providing novel levity in the best stuck-up tradition.

Be sure to see this fine show at the Vancouver Playhouse, locat­ed beside The Queen Elizabeth Theatre, during its run. This ex­travagant musical will also make a perfect Christmas stocking stuff to arts lovers and those looking for a perfect fun-filled night out with actors drenched in hilarious costumes and winning perfor­mances – a tour de farce of the finest order.

For tickets or more information on La Cage aux Folles, now showing until Christmas Eve Dec. 24. Call (604) 873-3311 or go to vancouverplayhouse.com

< Prev		Next >