U.K.'s La Cage Aux Folles Tour Cancelled Due to 'Lack of Suitable Star'

Whatsonstage.com is reporting that the much hyped-about La Cage Aux Folles tour in the U.K. is now cancelled due to a lack of "suitable stars."  The tour of the critically hailed Chocolate Menier Factory's production has been scheduled to begin in February of 2010. 

A statement, the producers confirm: "Due to the non-availability of suitable star artists for the particularly challenging lead roles in La Cage aux Folles, the producers have regrettably decided to postpone the forthcoming UK tour."

Terry Johnson has revived La Cage at The Menier Chocolate Factory at Christmas in 2007.  It transferred to the West End's Playhouse in October 2008, where it has garnered two Olivier Awards, amongst numerous other accolades.  

In the West End, the lead role of Albin/Zazahas been played by Douglas Hodge (Olivier award-winner), talk show host Graham Norton, Roger Allam and, currently, John Barrowman opposite Simon Burke as the new Georges (originally played by Philip Quast, followed by Roger Allam). Douglas Hodge is reportedly set to return to La Cage this Christmas before the show moves to Broadway next year.

To read the full report in whatsonstage.com, click here.

La Cage Aux Folles is currently playing in the West End's Playhouse Theatre.  For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

La Cage aux Folles features a book by Harvey Fierstein (Torch Song Trilogy) and lyrics and music by Jerry Herman (Hello Dolly, Mame and Mack and Mabel). Based on the 1973 French play of the same name by Jean Poiret, it focuses on a gay couple: Georges, the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his romantic partner and star attraction, and the farcical adventures that ensue when Georges' son, Jean-Michel, brings home his fiancée's ultra-conservative parents to meet them.

The musical's original 1983 Broadway production received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. The success of the musical spawned a West End production and several international runs. The 2004 Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival, and the 2008 London revival has garnered the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.

 

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