La Cage Aux Folles State Theatre 19 Apr ⭐️⭐️⭐️

We had seen La Cage in Melbourne approx 10 years ago. It was a stunning production with an incredible set. We knew this was a truncated season so thought the set would not be as intricate or lavish but expected more. The set was rudimentary at best. The costumes however were incredible. Nothing ruins a show more than poor sound and sadly this show was destroyed by the missed cues from almost every first line spoken. Mics were on when they shouldn’t have been. The very opening of the show (before the overture) you could hear a member of the cast whisper “oh f@ck” which while hilarious, wasn’t really what we were going for. The cast for the most part were excellent. Paul Capsis in the lead role of Albin, and internationally renowned singer and actor Michael Cormick as his husband Georges Both excel in their roles, the engaged couple were both engaging (see what I did there) as was the politicians wife. Where the production came unstuck for me was the character Edouard Dindon, conservative politician and future in-law. He was totally out of his depth amongst some bright talent and dragged the show down. From the programme, it wasn’t the original choice so sickness may have meant scrambling for a ring in. The story itself is a classic and one I could easily see again. Not sure if it would work on the big stage in NZ, but it has potential.

Liked it, didn’t love it