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Delayed by plague upon plague of winter lurgies, the Menier Chocolate Factory's Christmas show, a revival of the Eighties hit La Cage aux Folles, proves well worth the wait and more.
This deliciously ticklish French farce by Jerry Herman (music and lyrics) and Harvey Fierstein (book) is a sappy, happy portrait of marriage. With a twist.
The couple, who run a nightclub in St Tropez, just happen to be gay, and the gorgeous girls strutting their stuff every night in spangled girdles trimmed with a froth of feathers just happen to be guys.
But you must look closely, because in Terry Johnson's new production, there's one lass among these lissom, lovely lads, who strip, tease and high-kick their way through the show.
But the star is Douglas Hodge's Albin. By day, he's a housewife to Georges (Philip Quast in twinkly form and terrific voice); by night, he pours his barrel chest into satin and sequins, and purrs his girlie heart out as ZaZa, queen of La Cage Aux Folles.
It's a rich role that requires Hodge (who is 100 per cent he-man) to play an irresistible sex siren with utter conviction, then try (disastrously) to be butch, and finally, but with similar passion, pretend to be the mother of Georges' son (at once mincing and matron-like, and utterly persuasive, if a bit fruity, until his wig suddenly slips off). He succeeds in being variously hilarious, grotesque and genuinely touching.
There are a few creaks. The engaged couple, who need everyone to play straight to impress the awful in-laws, couldn't be less engaging, but otherwise the show is a highly recommended hoot.
Thanks to Gregor for forwarding this review
© Associated Newspapers Ltd
