It might be staged in a parish hall, but there is nothing parochial about this production of La Cage Aux Folles. For an am dram group to choose such a show is bold, and for that they deserve credit, but for them to pull it off with such gusto is both surprising and highly commendable.

The story, for those who aren’t big fans of camp musicals, goes something like this. Georges and Albin have a happy if stormy life together, running a drag club in Saint-Tropez in the south of France. At La Cage Aux Folles, Georges runs the show while Albin – or to use his stage name Za Za – is the star. But when Georges’ son Jean-Michel announces his engagement to the daughter of a notoriously narrow-minded politician, his unconventional family’s efforts to play it straight result in comedy and tragedy in almost equal measure. La Cage is played for laughs, but there are very modern morals too, concerning love, honesty and pride.

Joe Connor is excellent as Georges, stuck between the two men he loves, while Steve Benson, as the ultimate drama queen, Albin, is wonderful and also credible in the more serious moments. Ryan Entwistle, as Jean-Michel, provides a touching performance, and Philip Morris as the butler/maid Jacob is very much the comic star of the show.

With an outstanding ensemble cast decked out in an outrageous amount of sequins and feathers, La Cage Aux Folles is a triumph. As Za Za might say – brava!

Steven Thompson

Walmsley Parish AODS should feel extremely proud of their latest production, La Cage Aux Folles.This was a great show full of comedy and pathos with an extremely strong cast.

George and Albin were wonderfully played by Joe Connor and Steve Benson. They run a drag club in the South of France. George runs La Cage while his partner is the star of the show ZaZa, a real drama queen. Trouble arises when George's son arrives, announcing his engagement to Anne, the daughter of a narrow-minded politition intent on ridding the district of anything with low morals. How they all get around the problems that arise results equally in a show full of tears and laughter.

Most of the laughs come from Jacob, the Butler/Maid hilariously payed by Philip Morris. How many hours did he practise on those heels? The Cagelles brought the house down every time they came on stage. All the costumes were wonderful. Ryan Entwistle gave us a charming and loving son, Jean-Michel. The highlight of the night was the number sung by Steve Benson - I Am What I Am. Fantastic. I'm sure all the hankies came out then.

Congratulations to Adrienne Wormald as musical director. The sound was just right. Well done to the set designers. I loved the nude statue at the back of the stage which later becomes genteelly covered. Modesty at all times! Well done everyone. A great show.

Jackie Kay