Graham Norton replaces Douglas Hodge in La Cage Aux Folles
#2
Posted: 11/27/08 at 6:15am
Sadly the unthinkable is to happen. This has been known, and spoken about on this board, since the show announced it was transferring to the West End. It was kept quiet incase the show didn't take off but now its opened with rave reviews and brilliant box office the show will now take on a personality that many think will ruin the show.
Its a Broadway musical not a cheap smutty stand up comics showpiece.
It's horrible to say but many people, including myself, hoped that the show would just complete the initial limited run and he wouldn't take over or at least they would find a decent actor.
You'll see that the shows initial publicity is all 'Strictly Limited Season', this was to protect its opening incase it didn't sell.
It will be very, very interesting to see how the show fairs with him in it.
I like Graham Norton a lot and find him very funny but not, please, in a West End musical.
Its a Broadway musical not a cheap smutty stand up comics showpiece.
It's horrible to say but many people, including myself, hoped that the show would just complete the initial limited run and he wouldn't take over or at least they would find a decent actor.
You'll see that the shows initial publicity is all 'Strictly Limited Season', this was to protect its opening incase it didn't sell.
It will be very, very interesting to see how the show fairs with him in it.
I like Graham Norton a lot and find him very funny but not, please, in a West End musical.
Updated On: 11/27/08 at 06:15 AM
#3
Posted: 11/27/08 at 8:12am
Have to agree that I think Graham Norton will be a bit of a travesty. But I think the writing has been on the wall in respect of something ever since he started doing the Maria show etc. I like him a lot too, but he won't be able to not have it become too much about him.
I might dislike it in principle, but I will still go to see it though.
I might dislike it in principle, but I will still go to see it though.
#4
Posted: 11/27/08 at 8:21am
He may have gone to drama school but he is no actor. Even the wondrous Doug Hodge has struggled with this iconic comic part. Can Norton sing???
It will be horrible to see the show get pulled down with Mr Norton at its helm. Firstly, he will attract the wrong kind of audience to it, secondly how many shows will he be doing if he has other commitments which these celebs normally do to get out of doing the full 8!!! I have yet to find out how long he's signed for but it wont be for long and with that I hope the show survives after him with a real performer. It would be great to see this show around for a year or more after its wonderful initial reception.
It will be horrible to see the show get pulled down with Mr Norton at its helm. Firstly, he will attract the wrong kind of audience to it, secondly how many shows will he be doing if he has other commitments which these celebs normally do to get out of doing the full 8!!! I have yet to find out how long he's signed for but it wont be for long and with that I hope the show survives after him with a real performer. It would be great to see this show around for a year or more after its wonderful initial reception.
#5
Posted: 11/27/08 at 8:38am
I thought he was playing Georges, which he could possibly do but Zaza? No, no, no.
#6
Posted: 11/27/08 at 8:45am
Thank god i saw it with Douglas Hodge
#7
Posted: 11/27/08 at 8:59am
I have to get to this in the next 5 weeks.
#8
Posted: 11/27/08 at 9:01am
Out of interest, has anyone actually *seen* Graham Norton do any acting other than his 'Father Ted' appearances? Although he has a larger-than-life personality which obviously doesn't work for everyone, and although he has thus far not made a career as an actor, there is always a chance he might surprise everyone.
As for "can he even sing?", that's the same question I was asking about Denis Lawson, who proved most admirably that yes, he definitely CAN sing. Producers may be money-grubbing business-types, but they're honestly not *completely* stupid.
I say we wait and *see* Norton before weeping and wailing and becrying the state of the West End musical (any more than we already do
). ^_^
As for "can he even sing?", that's the same question I was asking about Denis Lawson, who proved most admirably that yes, he definitely CAN sing. Producers may be money-grubbing business-types, but they're honestly not *completely* stupid.
I say we wait and *see* Norton before weeping and wailing and becrying the state of the West End musical (any more than we already do
). ^_^ Updated On: 11/27/08 at 09:01 AM
#9
Posted: 11/27/08 at 9:19am
He hasn't done any 'straight' theatre work of note, if any. He went straight from drama school into the stand up comedy clubs ending up at the Edinburgh Festival. I remember him causing a right fuss there when he did a drag act portraying Mother Teresa Of Calcutta. TV spies saw him and the rest is is history.
(This is info from a friend of mine who was an actor at the Abbey in Dublin when Norton was a temp stage hand there.)
(This is info from a friend of mine who was an actor at the Abbey in Dublin when Norton was a temp stage hand there.)
#10
Posted: 11/27/08 at 9:54am
When does Douglas Hodge leave?
Oh and did Phillip Quast transfer with the show?
Oh and did Phillip Quast transfer with the show?
#11
Posted: 11/27/08 at 9:59am
This may sound offensive, so I'm going to apologise in advance.
Graham Norton is going to seriously overcamp what is, for now, a tastefully and artistically camp masterpiece. Douglas Hodge, as a straight man, gives a fantastically understated performance in a role that could be grotesquely OTT, making the intelligent comedy shine through as well as his own excellent touches. Of course, this is appreciated by what I perceived to be a mature and intelligent audience with a naturally very high gay presence.
I think the introduction of Graham Norton will cheapen a little gem of a show. It won't be about the passion and sensitivity of the show, or the lives and loves of the characters; it'll be about Graham Norton in a dress and just how gay he will be.
I may be quick to judge as he may well be wonderful, but right now I think this is a horrible, greedy idea that says a lot about the current state of the West End. Ah well, it's only for a week.
Graham Norton is going to seriously overcamp what is, for now, a tastefully and artistically camp masterpiece. Douglas Hodge, as a straight man, gives a fantastically understated performance in a role that could be grotesquely OTT, making the intelligent comedy shine through as well as his own excellent touches. Of course, this is appreciated by what I perceived to be a mature and intelligent audience with a naturally very high gay presence.
I think the introduction of Graham Norton will cheapen a little gem of a show. It won't be about the passion and sensitivity of the show, or the lives and loves of the characters; it'll be about Graham Norton in a dress and just how gay he will be.
I may be quick to judge as he may well be wonderful, but right now I think this is a horrible, greedy idea that says a lot about the current state of the West End. Ah well, it's only for a week.
Updated On: 11/27/08 at 09:59 AM
#12
Posted: 11/27/08 at 10:02am
Philip Quast didn't transfer, prior commitments didn't permit tho he did want to go with it had transfered as originally planned last June.
Doug Hodge's last perf is Jan 17th.
He's is directing a work at the Donmar in March
Doug Hodge's last perf is Jan 17th.
He's is directing a work at the Donmar in March
#13
Posted: 11/27/08 at 10:30am
#14
Posted: 11/27/08 at 10:33am
He looks awful! I mean, I know he's kind of meant to, but he just looks so ugly.
#15
Posted: 11/27/08 at 10:38am
What are the roots on that wig doing??? It looks like you can see his own hair as he wears a plastic bag on top it!
He looks awful, yes!
Pouting and posing in a frock do not this part make.
He looks awful, yes!
Pouting and posing in a frock do not this part make.
#16
Posted: 11/27/08 at 10:42am
i personally cant wait this means i will now see the show !
No Doubt Our Paths Will Cross Again ! Matt
#17
Posted: 11/27/08 at 10:46am
Wait until after April- if the show survives this casting error, hopefully it will still be with us thru the summer.
#18
Posted: 11/27/08 at 10:54am
Pig in a wig springs to mind lol
Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna
#19
Posted: 11/27/08 at 11:07am
Anyone wanting to research his amazing acting comedy skills should seek out this God awful movie.
#20
Posted: 11/27/08 at 11:13am
Steven Pacey takes over as George on the same date.
He has a great voice and is a great choice- i did 'Joseph and a panto with him in the 80s before he joined TVs 'Blake's Seven'.
#21
Posted: 11/27/08 at 11:56am
The world gets to see his Zaza on The Royal Variety Performance!!!
#22
Posted: 11/27/08 at 12:02pm
Horror. You are joking, yes?
#23
Posted: 11/27/08 at 12:04pm
Sorry, no.
#24
Posted: 11/27/08 at 12:09pm
I feel sick. I was going to pop out to Woolies and take advantage of their misfortune by spending an absolute sh*tload of reduced Christmas decos but now I might just go home and cry.
#25
Posted: 11/27/08 at 12:10pm
At the press conference he joked that he's a late Christmas present for London theatre critics and is prepared for what he expects will be quite harsh reviews, but he loves the show and thats why he's doing it- so there!
Tickets From $58
Tickets From $80
Tickets From $67
Tickets From $59
