La Cage Aux Folles

What Is La Cage Aux Folles?

La Cage Aux Folles is a beloved musical comedy based on the 1973 French play by Jean Poiret, which later inspired the popular Hollywood film The Birdcage. Set in a glamorous drag nightclub on the French Riviera, the show follows Georges, the club's owner, and his long-term partner Albin, a flamboyant drag performer who headlines the venue's nightly show as the dazzling Zaza. When Georges's son announces he is to marry the daughter of a staunchly conservative politician, the couple must navigate a farcical and heartfelt attempt to appear more "conventional" than they truly are. The results are both hilarious and deeply moving.

With music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, the composer behind Hello, Dolly! and Mame, and a book by Harvey Fierstein, La Cage Aux Folles is one of the most significant musicals in Broadway and West End history. Its anthem, I Am What I Am, has become an enduring rallying cry for self-acceptance and pride.

Why Is La Cage Aux Folles Worth Seeing?

La Cage Aux Folles holds a special place in musical theatre history. When it first opened on Broadway in 1983, it was one of the first major musicals to place a gay relationship at the very centre of its story, treating it with warmth, dignity, and humour. Rather than shying away from the topic, the show celebrates love in all its forms, and does so through some of Jerry Herman's most infectious and emotionally resonant songs.

The production balances broad comedy, spectacular sequinned spectacle, and genuine emotional depth in a way that few musicals manage. The relationship between Georges and Albin is one of the most tender and convincing partnerships in the musical theatre canon, and audiences who arrive expecting pure camp often leave having been genuinely moved. The show rewards both those who come for the glamour and the glitter, and those who come for a story about loyalty, family, and the courage to be yourself.

What Are the Key Songs and Highlights?

Jerry Herman's score is consistently tuneful and theatrically effective. Standout numbers include the exuberant opening We Are What We Are, the tender Song on the Sand, and the defiant, show-stopping I Am What I Am, which closes the first act and never fails to bring audiences to their feet. The Les Cagelles, the club's ensemble of drag performers, bring enormous energy and visual flair to the production's many set pieces, and the staging of the nightclub scenes is typically lavish and eye-catching.

The comedic sequences involving the attempts to make Albin appear suitably respectable for the conservative in-laws provide some of the finest comic writing in musical theatre, and a skilled cast can make these scenes feel fresh and genuinely funny rather than dated.

Practical Information for Visitors

La Cage Aux Folles has been staged at various West End and UK venues over the years, so it is worth checking the specific production details before booking. As a musical with adult themes, including drag performance and the politics of identity, it is generally most suitable for audiences aged twelve and above, though younger theatregoers who are familiar with the subject matter are often well catered for. Parental guidance is always advisable for younger children.

If you are visiting London from abroad and planning your theatre trip around a production of La Cage Aux Folles, it is worth booking tickets in advance, particularly for weekend performances and any limited-run productions. Prices vary depending on the venue and production scale, so check the booking page for the most up-to-date availability.

Similar Shows You Might Enjoy

If La Cage Aux Folles appeals to you, there are several other musicals that share its blend of comedy, heart, and celebration of identity. Kinky Boots tells the story of a struggling shoe factory transformed by a partnership with a drag performer, and shares many of the same themes of self-expression and acceptance. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is another spectacular celebration of drag culture and chosen family, with a colourful score drawn from pop classics. For something with a similar French flavour and romantic warmth, An American in Paris offers gorgeous Gershwin songs and stunning choreography. Fans of Jerry Herman's other work may also wish to seek out productions of Hello, Dolly!, which showcases the same gift for melody and theatrical showmanship that makes La Cage Aux Folles so enduring.