Presented by: The Metropolitan Theatre Company of SA
Reviewed: 8 May, 2025
The uplifting and heartfelt La Cage Aux Folles is the latest production for the Metropolitan Musical Theatre Company of SA.
The show is based on Jean Poiret’s 1973 play and adapted to a musical by Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman. It was made more widely famous as the movie The Birdcage starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane.
It follows nightclub owner Georges (Daniel Fleming), and their partner and club star Albin (Michael Bates). Their nightly performance drama and personal routines are abruptly halted when Georges’ son Jean-Michel (Lachlan Steiger) returns home to the couple who raised him with news that he’s engaged to Anne (Abbey Paton).
Anne just happens to be the daughter of arch-conservative politician Edouard Dindon (Jay Mancuso) and his wife Marie (Carolyn Adams), who’s in the process of shutting down non-traditional businesses. Georges’ and Albin’s attempts to present themselves as more traditional are hindered by their flamboyant butler/maid Jacob (Ewerton Silva) and ever too friendly restaurant owner Jacqueline (Heidi-Rae Abbey).
The task of taking on such a production for a local company is an impressive feat. The team from The Met excel in the extravagance of the production, in particular the costuming and staging for the nightclub scenes.
The leads (Fleming, Bates, and Steiger) performed excellently in their roles with strong vocals showcased and, while deliberately over the top as required at times, kept the heart of the characters as their anchor. Silva’s expressive characterisation and constant costume changes for Jacob was a standout for the quick comedy nods and interjection of pace to the narrative.
The nightclub scenes were full of colour and chaos. The queens, Les Cagelles, were wrangled by stage manager Francis (Matthew Phillips), and starred Chantal (Shane Huang), Hanna (Sean Wright), Mecedes (Kuan), Phaedra (Benjamin Johnson), Bitelle (Daniel Whitehead), Odette (Barbara Nutchey), Angelique (Michelle Ogden), Clo-Clo (Dani Panfilo), Dermah (Jasmine Duggan), and Monique (Isla Zorkovic). They were joined on stage by ensemble members Peter Keller, Jodie Collins, Abigail Papps, and Tasma Jeffries.
There’s a lot to enjoy with this production. It’s joyful and vibrant. The dance, choreographed by Jacinta Vistoli, plays well into the unique traits of each character. The dedication of the team behind the production shone in the attention to detail on this staging of La Cage Aux Folles.
A key highlight was the inclusion of a live orchestra, which amplifies both the performance and cabaret club style experience of the show. The orchestra is conducted by the show’s Musical Director Tammy Papps and features Daniel Burgess (Woodwind 1), Lindsay Heesom (Woodwind 2), Brett Pamment (Trumpet), Richard Lange (Trombone), Tim Wilsdon (Double Bass), Carlie James (Drums), Mitchell Bettison (Keyboard 1), and Leanne Savill (Keyboard 2).
This fun, local production of La Cage Aux Folles is directed by Ben Saunders and runs over the next two weekends at the Arts Theatre.
Reviewed by Alex Dunkin
Photo credit: Daniel Salmond
Venue: The Arts Theatre, 53 Angas Street, Kaurna Country
Season: 8-10 & 13-17 May 2025
Duration: 2.5 hours plus 20min interval
Tickets: $32-$40
Bookings: https://themet.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/141895
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