Sunday 2 May 2010

La Cage aux Folles



Yesterday we watched a production of La Cage aux Folles at the Newcastle theatre. The action, if you don't know, is set in a transvestite caberet on the French Riviera and it's all about contrasting sorts of love: young and middle-aged, romantic and parental. It is a flashy, sentimental, farcical musical - and also a really moving one. It was one of the first Mr Ashbless and I ever saw together, many years ago, and I think it had a surprisingly profound effect on us.  Do go see it if you ever get the chance.

In the clip above, drag queen Albin as just been told that his 'son' regards him as too embarrassing to be round when the (very right-wing) prospective in-laws pay a visit. Albin is hurt and angry, of course. Watching this last night made all the hair stand up on my skin!

2 comments:

Beth said...

Wow wow wow, we HAVE to go and see that. I so know how that guy feels, and I'm sure if my parents knew why, they'd be pretty shock to say the least.

Janine Ashbless said...

I hesitate to say a musical changed our mindsets, but this one did (first time round, when we we young and naive), in subtle but definite ways.