 |
| Graham Norton as Zaza |
Graham Norton will star as Albin in the West End production of
La Cage aux Folles. The entertainer, who greeted the press in full drag as Albin's stage persona Zaza, replaces original star Douglas Hodge on January 19.
One of the best known presenters on British television, Norton is currently hosting the latest series of his BBC2 chat show The Graham Norton Show. He recently fronted reality TV talent show I'd Do Anything for BBC1. Previous television work includes chat shows So Graham Norton and V Graham Norton and the shows Strictly Dance Fever, The Bigger Picture, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and Any Dream Will Do. Norton has toured the U.K. and America with his live stand-up shows. He won numerous awards including four Best Entertainment Performance BAFTAs, Best Talk Show at the National Television Awards, Best TV Comedy Personality and Best Talk Show at the British Comedy Awards, and an International Emmy in the Popular Arts Category. La Cage aux Folles marks his West End debut. He is set to star in the musical through April 25.
Also joining the cast of La Cage on January 19 is Steven Pacey, who will play Georges. Pacey’s theater credits include Moonlight and Magnolias (the Tricycle Theatre), The Old Masters (Comedy Theatre), The Constant Wife (Apollo Theatre), Harold Pinter's production of The Room/Celebration (Almeida Theatre), The Birthday Party (Piccadilly Theatre) and Someone Else's Shoes (Soho Theatre). Pacey was nominated for an Olivier Award for the role of Bertie Wooster in the musical By Jeeves. His television work includes Wallander, Boy A, the BBC’s Spooks and the ITV comedy-drama Distant Shores.
La Cage aux Folles features music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and a book by Harvey Fierstein. Based on a French play (and later film) by Jean Poiret of the same name (that was also the inspiration for the 1996 hit film The Birdcage), the musical tells the story of Albin and Georges, two middle-aged partners who run a drag nightclub in St. Tropez. Their outrageously resplendent peace turns to mayhem when their son announces that he is getting married—to the daughter of a local morals crusader.
Norton and Pacey join current stars Stuart Neal as Jean-Michel, Jason Pennycoooke as Jacob, Alicia Davies as Anne, Tracie Bennett as Jacqueline, Iain Mitchell as Renaud and Paula Wilcox as Mme. Renaud.