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The Menier is the the theatre of the mode for producing epic sized musicals on a small scale and that intimacy is what makes La Cage aux Folles work after 25 years. Here with a very obvious and sentimental book, long losing its political strength in revealing a married gay couple, and songs that are not especially tuneful, we still walk out of this production with a lift… a feel-good-lift to carry us beyond the bus stop.
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Philip Quast gives a direct and earnest rendition of the father whose affection towards his gay partner seems real. His interpretation of the 'Song of the Sand' as he sits sadly alone is a serious moment greatly appreciated in this constant send-up of camp itself. He sings with such skill that embraces a song to higher qualities. He is a good actor in addition to that mellifluous voice. Douglas Hodge is also a good actor and can deliver a song despite his less than little voice as the mincing, self-dramatic partner Albin to Quast’s commanding Georges. We could do with less pathetic smiling and mia culpa hands from Hodge, but he is at his best singing and dancing with the Cagelles 'I Am What I Am'.
