La Cage Aux Folles – Spangly and Leggy
PUBLISHED July 24th, 2012 09:21 pm | UPDATED March 28th, 2016 05:31 pm
Copious amounts of glitter, feathers, gems and legs make La Cage every woman’s dream and every gay man’s fantasy. If you want to feel alive, awoken and enthralled then I suggest you snap up a ticket sharpish! The play within a play allows the show to be interactive as well as acrobatic and will undoubtedly leave you mesmerised by its dazzling outfits and movement as well as enlivened by its energy! You’ll witness men moving in ways you didn’t think possible, toned figures and of course gaud, glitz and glamour. Surprisingly, the large majority of the dancers are, impressively, male and own physiques fabulous enough to make me never want to slip on a dress again.
Beneath the masquerade lies a story of acceptance, of a man temporarily rejected by his step son for being a transvestite showgirl alongside the tribulations of a loving marriage. La Cage challenges some prominent views about homosexuality, which have been long deep set in Singaporean culture. Transforming La Cage from a French setting was always going to be challenging, but director Glen Goei does so bravely and boldly without tip toeing around these highly controversial themes. The Singaporean production of La Cage Aux Folles stays splendidly true to its roots, whilst incorporating snags on Singaporean politics, local jokes and even frequently uses bouts of Hokkien.
Tony Eusoff and Ivan Heng take on the lead roles as homosexual couple, Albin/Zaza (Heng) and George (Eusoff). After 20 years of marriage and continuing happiness, their relationship stumbles in the critique of society. When their son Jonathan (Arron Khaled) requires his father and ‘mother’ to meet his new bride-to-be, Albin is insensitively shunned in an attempt to please Jonathan’s fiancés conservative family. Eusoff and Heng competently conquer their roles and deliver a moving and poignant representation of Albin and George.
Arron Khaled’s powerful vocals combined with his agility and handsomeness make for a persuasive performance.
Show stopping, superstar of the night has to be Hossan Leong with his hilarious representation of the petite Jacob/Claudine in the form of the bulter/maid who prefers the latter of both names. Jacob idolises Albin and longs to be a showgirl, despite being constantly disregarded. His twirls, shrieks and flouncing will leave you in stitches!
Strong ballads and heartfelt vocals decorate this visually captivating spectacle with sentimentality. All in all a musical with too much glitter and too many feathers, just how a musical should be! George, when speaking of the play within a play, says ‘You’ll leave with more than a folded programme and a ticket stub’… and you certainly will.
Another fabulous production by W!LD RICE! Only showing until 4th August! Ticket prices are $35 to $125 and available from SISTIC.
Written by Patpat
Tickets compliments of W!LD RICE, photography by Albert Lim KS.
