La Cage Aux Foles

Tonight Megan and I went to the theatre. We saw La Cage Aux Folles at the [Melbourne ] Play House.

 

As with anything French,  the actual pronunciation bears no resemblance to the lettering. In this case it is pronounced :

Lacarsche o folls.

 

The basic story line is straight boy with gay parents who own a gay cabarat announces he is engaged to a girl who is the daughter of a homophobic well connected and powerful politician.  At first the family pretend to be a normal heterosexual family but then it, off course, falls apart and the Politian  blows his stack and later is sort of setup / blackmailed into supporting the marriage.

All-in-all a great show.

 

It does a great job of looking at the emotions of the various characters and the sacrifices they make for love.

Boy - endured ribbing during his teen years for having gay parents.  Initially demanding and appears self centred but turns out to be a good lad in the end.

Father - Has to ask his trans lover / the boys mother in terms of the person who brought him up - to disappear for a day.

The Natural mother who we learn throughout the show is very selfish and has not involved herself in the boys life lets him down again by not turning up at the last minute.

The homophobic politician - Who makes proclamations but when confronted by the media changes his tune / compromises.  Then at the end we see him in drag (didn't understand that....)

The politicians wife who has accepted a submissive role lets out her pent up emotions in song and begins to resist the father and support the daughter.

The trans lover / mother/ wife fellow who has to deal with his feelings.

The daughter who finally stands up to her father and sticks with her boy even a all this unravels around her.

 

The other interesting thing was the butler / maid who was fantastic.  It showed the degree of confidence that the producers and the main characters have to allow such an effervescent minor character on stage.   

 

Most absolutely uncomfortable seats though. Got a sore lower back and had to use Megans shaul rolled up for lower back support.

 

Walked home along the river then over a bridge and under flinders street station.