La Cage Aux Folles - Regent's Park 2023

[toomasj]

I haven’t seen this production, and likely won’t get a chance to, but I wanted to address a general point that’s been made a few times.

Regarding Edouard, the politician, played in this production by John Owen-Jones;

He serves an absolutely crucial purpose in the plot, namely being a “hate sink”. Even the most rudimentary plots require conflict of some variety. Without conflict, characters have no purpose or room for growth or development. If every character in this show arrived fully formed, there would be absolutely nothing at stake.

I can’t comment on John’s performance in this, but the character is written intentionally as a huge pastiche of a certain type of person, and how he presents his views is written as on-the-nose as possible in a clear morality message. The message being intolerance = bad. Without the character of Edouard, the plot would go absolutely nowhere.

You aren’t meant to like him. He is a character intentionally written to be antagonistic and have the audience universally dislike him, in order to make the protagonists ever more sympathetic. The majority (not all) of fiction uses this device.

[alexandra]

Yes, thank you, toomasj. My point was that whilst there is reaction from the other characters to his homophobia, his misogyny and downright abuse of his wife is not commented on in the play and nor did it draw, the night I saw it, the slightest reaction from the other characters. So it didn’t serve the purpose you posit.

[shownut]

Aug 9, 2023 12:19:10 GMT toomasj said:

I haven’t seen this production, and likely won’t get a chance to, but I wanted to address a general point that’s been made a few times.

Regarding Edouard, the politician, played in this production by John Owen-Jones;

He serves an absolutely crucial purpose in the plot, namely being a “hate sink”. Even the most rudimentary plots require conflict of some variety. Without conflict, characters have no purpose or room for growth or development. If every character in this show arrived fully formed, there would be absolutely nothing at stake.

I can’t comment on John’s performance in this, but the character is written intentionally as a huge pastiche of a certain type of person, and how he presents his views is written as on-the-nose as possible in a clear morality message. The message being intolerance = bad. Without the character of Edouard, the plot would go absolutely nowhere.

You aren’t meant to like him. He is a character intentionally written to be antagonistic and have the audience universally dislike him, in order to make the protagonists ever more sympathetic. The majority (not all) of fiction uses this device.

And the character once had a song (cut early on) that could never be performed nowadays called "Have A Nice Day" which more or less spelled out how happy his world would be were it not for an exhaustive list of those he finds undesirable. 

Dorothy Loudon performed it in JERRY'S GIRLS on Broadway but it was never recorded, and is definitely not for those whose boundaries around what constitutes as comedy are quite strict.

[stagey]

How easy has getting rush tickets for this been since it’s opened? Does anyone know if they tend to be good seats?

[oxfordsimon]

Aug 9, 2023 13:31:25 GMT shownut said:

Aug 9, 2023 12:19:10 GMT toomasj said:

I haven’t seen this production, and likely won’t get a chance to, but I wanted to address a general point that’s been made a few times.

Regarding Edouard, the politician, played in this production by John Owen-Jones;

He serves an absolutely crucial purpose in the plot, namely being a “hate sink”. Even the most rudimentary plots require conflict of some variety. Without conflict, characters have no purpose or room for growth or development. If every character in this show arrived fully formed, there would be absolutely nothing at stake.

I can’t comment on John’s performance in this, but the character is written intentionally as a huge pastiche of a certain type of person, and how he presents his views is written as on-the-nose as possible in a clear morality message. The message being intolerance = bad. Without the character of Edouard, the plot would go absolutely nowhere.

You aren’t meant to like him. He is a character intentionally written to be antagonistic and have the audience universally dislike him, in order to make the protagonists ever more sympathetic. The majority (not all) of fiction uses this device.

And the character once had a song (cut early on) that could never be performed nowadays called "Have A Nice Day" which more or less spelled out how happy his world would be were it not for an exhaustive list of those he finds undesirable. 

Dorothy Loudon performed it in JERRY'S GIRLS on Broadway but it was never recorded, and is definitely not for those whose boundaries around what constitutes as comedy are quite strict.

I can see why it would be a challenge to make this work in the show...

[shownut]

Aug 10, 2023 23:42:17 GMT oxfordsimon said:

Aug 9, 2023 13:31:25 GMT shownut said:

And the character once had a song (cut early on) that could never be performed nowadays called "Have A Nice Day" which more or less spelled out how happy his world would be were it not for an exhaustive list of those he finds undesirable. 

Dorothy Loudon performed it in JERRY'S GIRLS on Broadway but it was never recorded, and is definitely not for those whose boundaries around what constitutes as comedy are quite strict.

I can see why it would be a challenge to make this work in the show...

And that is the cleaned up version with some substituted words....

[elfie1984]

I am so happy to see this is getting good reviews (4 and 5 stars from the ones I’ve read). I had a wonderful time and smiled throughout when I saw it. It started raining during in Act 2 but this didn’t dampen the audience’s spirits.

I saw the Menier production at the Playhouse multiple times, which I adored, and was nervous that I wouldn’t enjoy this version, due to comparison. But I enjoyed the Regents Park production immensely. I felt that Carl’s Zaza had far more vulnerability than others I’ve seen previously, and agree with the comments that as a queer performer he seemed to really bring nuance to the character. I laughed with him and felt his ‘I Am What I Am’ deeply. I also really appreciated the range of representation in the Cagelles and thought the cast overall was fabulous. It seemed like a real team effort, the cast was cohesive and clearly having a good time.

This show is still so apt with everything going on in the States, and I felt more moved watching it than I ever have, as a queer person who can find the current climate quite frightening.

Would love to see a transfer of this into town.

[shownut]

Aug 11, 2023 10:20:52 GMT elfie1984 said:

I am so happy to see this is getting good reviews (4 and 5 stars from the ones I’ve read). I had a wonderful time and smiled throughout when I saw it. It started raining during in Act 2 but this didn’t dampen the audience’s spirits.

I saw the Menier production at the Playhouse multiple times, which I adored, and was nervous that I wouldn’t enjoy this version, due to comparison. But I enjoyed the Regents Park production immensely. I felt that Carl’s Zaza had far more vulnerability than others I’ve seen previously, and agree with the comments that as a queer performer he seemed to really bring nuance to the character. I laughed with him and felt his ‘I Am What I Am’ deeply. I also really appreciated the range of representation in the Cagelles and thought the cast overall was fabulous. It seemed like a real team effort, the cast was cohesive and clearly having a good time.

This show is still so apt with everything going on in the States, and I felt more moved watching it than I ever have, as a queer person who can find the current climate quite frightening.

Would love to see a transfer of this into town.

I agree that it is apt with what is happening in the States but sadly it is also happening closer to home in Italy, Hungary and France and a handful of other European neighbours. Visited Italy last year (Verona) and experienced homophobia beyond belief. 

[harry]

Nice to read generally positive comments here and in the press. And I nteresting to read the (relative) voice of dissent in Nick Curtis’ 3* Evening Standard review.

To be fair I didn’t think Ben Culleton’s Jean-Michel was subtly acted (although he dances up a storm!) but I think it’s a bit mean to lay into such a young actor in one of his first stage roles quite so harshly. I hope for Ben’s sake he doesn’t read it.

I also quite strongly disagree with Curtis’ criticism that the central couple aren’t affectionate - their genuine affection and tenderness was probably the thing that made this production stand slightly above the excellent Menier one for me in terms of a proper emotional arc and truly heartwarming payoff.

But anyway, we’re all entitled to our opinions. This has really stayed with me since I saw it last week and I hope the positive reviews help it have a healthy summer (and who knows, possibly a life beyond…?)

[ladidah]

I agree, I really felt the love between them.

[anthony40]

I'm looking out the window as I type this and despite the humidity,given the wing and rain here in Nth London, I wouldn't be surprised if today or tonight performance is cancelled.

[curiouskc]

Really hoping to see this show but can anyone who has experience with Regent's Park open air tell me if it is true that they don't offer refunds (only credit) for shows that are cancelled due to poor weather? This policy seems really unfair to people who live outside of London who may not get an opportunity to use that credit. 

[Mark]

Aug 12, 2023 21:59:44 GMT curiouskc said:

Really hoping to see this show but can anyone who has experience with Regent's Park open air tell me if it is true that they don't offer refunds (only credit) for shows that are cancelled due to poor weather? This policy seems really unfair to people who live outside of London who may not get an opportunity to use that credit. 

Correct - only credit.

[Jon]

TBH if the Open Air refunded tickets every time there was bad weather, they'd go out of business and I think people booking need to accept the risk of the British weather when booking in the first place.

[Stephen]

Aug 12, 2023 21:59:44 GMT curiouskc said:

Really hoping to see this show but can anyone who has experience with Regent's Park open air tell me if it is true that they don't offer refunds (only credit) for shows that are cancelled due to poor weather? This policy seems really unfair to people who live outside of London who may not get an opportunity to use that credit. 

The credit never expires so could be used years later.

[alece10]

Aug 13, 2023 1:00:07 GMT Stephen said:

Aug 12, 2023 21:59:44 GMT curiouskc said:

Really hoping to see this show but can anyone who has experience with Regent's Park open air tell me if it is true that they don't offer refunds (only credit) for shows that are cancelled due to poor weather? This policy seems really unfair to people who live outside of London who may not get an opportunity to use that credit. 

The credit never expires so could be used years later.

Even as far back as Into The Woods? I wasn't able to see it again after being cancelled at the end of Act 1. It was towards the end of the run and sold out. I don't have tickets, receipt or anything to prove u was there.

[jgblunners]

I haven’t posted on here in a long time, but I saw this at yesterdays matinee and was quite disappointed, so I thought I’d pop back to TheatreBoard to share some thoughts.

Firstly, given Sheader’s work over recent years, I was surprised at how traditional this production was. I can’t help but feel that he does better work when he’s bringing something more distinctive to a show.

Secondly, the cast were… just fine? No bad performances, in fact I rather liked the actor playing Georges, but I was left feeling that it was all rather run-of-the-mill. Albin had no depth and I personally felt that his comic chops were not strong (but the rest of the audience was laughing at him so what do I know?), Jean-Michel was clearly an excellent dancer and singer but his acting was less believable, and Edward Dindon was neither detestable enough nor funny enough.

On the other hand, I think this is the best choreo I’ve ever seen from Stephen Mear. I’m not normally a massive fan of his work, but I thought the dances here were fantastic, and the cagelles were the best part of the show for me.

Debbie Kurup is wasted in a thankless role with awful mixing on her vocals. Justice for Debbie!

3 stars because I didn’t think it was actually a bad production, but I was disappointed.

[phantom1986]

I was also there over the weekend and too was dissapointed - especially after having such fond memories of the Menier production with a superb Douglas Hodge.

The book has not aged well and there was no clear vision from the director - were we in Blackpool or St Tropez - it felt as if the creative team wanted it to be the former but maybe the rights holders had issues with any script changes. The Cagelles remaining onstage didn't work as they looked bored sitting there waiting to come back on again.

Most of the acting was amateur and way too broad so none of the emotional moments landed. And some of the attempted regional accents were excruciating - the less said about "geordie" Jacqueline the better.

Maybe it is time for Regents Park to have a reset as their last few musical productions have been nowhere near their pre-pandemic offerings.

[harry]

Aug 12, 2023 21:59:44 GMT curiouskc said:

Really hoping to see this show but can anyone who has experience with Regent's Park open air tell me if it is true that they don't offer refunds (only credit) for shows that are cancelled due to poor weather? This policy seems really unfair to people who live outside of London who may not get an opportunity to use that credit. 

If you do TodayTix Rush on the morning of the show it’s central front row for under half the price of the row behind you. You do have to look up but don’t miss any action and get tons of legroom. Plus you have a very good sense of the chance of rain. Not sure how easy travel to London would be for you at late notice as I know that’s a problem for some people, but if that’s possible this certainly means you’re less likely to be stuck with a credit note.

Aug 13, 2023 8:35:37 GMT alece10 said:

Even as far back as Into The Woods? I wasn't able to see it again after being cancelled at the end of Act 1. It was towards the end of the run and sold out. I don't have tickets, receipt or anything to prove u was there.

And yes, the credit is perpetual. So you could in theory use your Into The Woods ticket to see this. Although I think you’d probably have to have some way of proving you were at a rained off show and where you were sitting in order for them to agree to it. My online account doesn’t show Into The Woods on it and I definitely saw it (and bought a ticket on the website) so it’s possible the online box office system has been changed since then but worth calling up and seeing if they can match your name to a record, I’d say.

[curiouskc]

Thanks for the advice, Harry! Yeah, I think I'll try for the rush seats. As changeable as the weather is at the moment, you're right that I'll have a much better idea on the day itself. At the moment the weather is looking good on the days I'm in London.

[mattnyc]

Gotta say, I’m really shocked to be reading negative reviews on this from people here. I went last night (perfect night for outdoor show with a beautiful breeze) and loved pretty much every single thing about it. Having seen great and awful productions of this show I know just how easy it is to mess it up and after some of the recent OAT offerings, I was fully prepared for the worst. But the set, the cast, the…everything were just brilliant I thought. I’m sorry that others here didn’t see what I saw in it but I can tell you I don’t remember a time I felt such a palpable love from an audience at curtain call. There’s a difference between a standing ovation and a rousing ovation of love being shown to the cast and that’s what I witnessed last night.

So hopefully more people go and enjoy it and see what myself and a lot of others yesterday saw.

[theatrefan62]

From friends who've seen it mixed to slightly negative was the overall view. Especially when compared to the menier production.

But an improvement on OATs productions of recent years.

[Fleance]

I loved the Regents Park revival. I hadn't seen the show since the original Broadway production. I don't understand how anyone can call it dated. I'm American. Was there ever a time when threats to the drag community were ever more present, or when drag was so specifically targeted as it is today? La Cage, with its politician character who wants to close drag down, is the perfect show for our times, perhaps even more relevant than when it premiered in 1983.

[danb]

Conversely, I can’t think of a time that Drag has been so accepted & part of the mainstream which will hopefully boost ticket sales and further enlightened acceptance. It won’t stop w8nkers being w8nkers.

[mattnyc]

So it sounds like the key to being able to let yourself enjoy this production is not having seen the Menier one.