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  • Hodge drags La Cage to Playhouse

    29 Aug 2008

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    Douglas Hodge will reprise his performance as cross-dressing cabaret artist Albin in musical La Cage Aux Folles when the production, first seen at the Menier Chocolate Factory, transfers to the Playhouse theatre in October. Read more


La Cage Aux Folles

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Showing at: Playhouse Theatre

Box Office: 0870 060 6631

Download (pdf format): Seating plan

Age: General

Genre: Musical

Sub Genre: Musical (Comedy)

La Cage Aux Folles, the classic camp musical, is the story of cabaret club owner Georges and his leading drag artiste and lover Albin, whose idyllic existence is threatened when Georges's son from a previous relationship announces his engagement to the daughter of a staunchly right-wing politician. With a visit from the prospective in-laws imminent, Georges and Albin decide to take drastic action to hide their lifestyle... but can they keep it up? La Cage Aux Folles is a timeless and deliciously funny tale of family values, unconditional love and, above all, the need to be proud of who we are.

La Cage Aux Folles received its world premiere at Broadway's Palace theatre in 1983, where it won six Tony Awards, ran for 1,761 performances and became the biggest new American musical of the decade. Jerry Herman's score includes songs such as The Best Of Times, Song On The Sand and the anthem I Am What I Am, which has been recorded by artists including Gloria Gaynor and Shirley Bassey.

This production of La Cage Aux Folles was first produced at the Menier Chocolate Factory, opening in January 2008. Such was the expectation surrounding the production that it sold out before opening night.

Theatregoers who buy tickets for La Cage Aux Folles at the Playhouse theatre have the opportunity to purchase cabaret seats at the front of the stalls to experience the cabaret club from within. Cabaret seats can only be purchased by those aged 18 or older.

For more information about La Cage Aux Folles read our Big Interview with Denis Lawson.

Performance Details

  • previews from: 20 Oct 2008
  • opening night: 30 Oct 2008
  • closing: 02 Jan 2010

show times: Mon-Sat 19:30, Mats Thu & Sat 14:30 (24 & 31 Dec 14:30 only. No perf 25 Dec. Extra mats 22, 28, 30 Dec 14:30.)

ticket prices: £17.50-£55 (Cabaret £57.50)

duration: 2h40

cast: Douglas Hodge, Denis Lawson, Tracie Bennett, Gabriel Vick, Iain Mitchell, Syrus Lowe, Alicia Davies, Abigail McKern, Kristopher Mitchell, Simon Archer, Nicholas Cunningham, Faisal Khodabukas, Gary Murphy, Dane Quixall, Dean Chisnall, Sebastian Torkia, CLaire Winsper, Chris Andrew Mellon, Steve Fortune, Louise Davidson, Scott Spreadbury, Matt Kizan

director: Terry Johnson

music by: Jerry Herman

lyrics by: Jerry Herman

book By: Harvey Fierstein

sound: Gareth Owen

set designer: Tim Shortall

lighting designer: Nick Richings

costume: Matthew Wright

choreographer: Lynne Page

producer: Chocolate Factory Productions, Sonia Friedman Productions, David Ian Productions, Tulchin/Bartner, The Ambassador Theatre Group and Jamie Hendry

map: View Map

Access Enabled Map (pdf format):
View The Playhouse Theatre Access Enabled Map

address: Northumberland Avenue, London, United Kingdom, WC2N 5DE

nearest tube: Charing Cross(250m) Embankment (100m)

nearest bus: 3, 6, 9, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 29, 53, 77A, 88, 91, 139, 159, 176, 453

nearest train: Charing Cross (250m)

parking: Westminter City Council car park in Spring Gardens (Trafalgar Square), NCP at Bedfordbury. Single and double yellow lines in Northumberland Avenue. Taxi rank on the Embankment and at Charing Cross Station.

air conditioned: Yes

Assisted Performance Booking Information

Access Booking: Tel: 0844 871 7677 Fax: 020 8544 7485 Minicom: 0870 060 6641

Accessible Facilities Venue Information

discounts: Discounts depend on the current production - please check with the Box Office.

limited mobility: There is good leg room in the Stalls and the Boxes.

access description: Level access through double doors opening outwards from the pavement. Box Office on the left, then 3 shallow steps up to foyer. No further steps into Stalls seating. 28 steps up to Dress Circle and 82 steps up to Upper Circle. Staircases have highlights and hand rails. Hard flooring in foyer for wheelchairs. Theatre opens 30min before performance.

hearing impaired: Induction loop system at Box Office. Infra-red system in auditorium. 11 headsets and 3 loops.

guide dogs policy: Guide dogs are allowed inside the auditorium. Staff also available to dog-sit in foyer or Box Office.

wheelchairs: Contact the Box Office in advance so that the ramp (steep) can be placed over the 3 shallow steps inside the main entrance. No steps to the Stalls, which are on a shallow rake. 2 spaces for wheelchair users at G1 and G24. Companions can sit in same row. Scooter users can access the foyer and stalls, but must transfer. Transfer seating available to any Stalls aisle seat. Each wheelchair user must bring a non-disabled companion.

toilets: Toilets off the restaurant bar, the Royal Circle and the Upper Circle.

disabled toilets: Adapted toilet in foyer to the right of the Stalls entrance.

bars: Toilets off the stalls bar, the Dress Circle and the Upper Circle. No steps from Stalls to foyer bar (no seating). Stalls bar (moveable seats, tables) down 29 steps from foyer. Further bars at the back of the Royal Circle (bar stools) and at the Upper Circle (bar stools). Refreshments can be brought to customers in the auditorium – please book in advance.

Douglas Hodge as Albin/ZaZa in La Cage Aux Folles at the Playhouse (Photo: Alastair Muir)

Douglas Hodge as Albin/ZaZa in La Cage Aux Folles at the Playhouse (Photo: Alastair Muir)

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