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Graham Norton to join West End's men in frocks in La Cage aux Folles
Graham Norton admitted in his autobiography that he could not sing a note. So the announcement yesterday that he is to make his West End debut in a lead singing role raised a few eyebrows, not least his own. Anticipating derision, he said: "I'm a late Christmas present for theatre critics."The TV host and comedian is to spend three months as drag queen Albin/Zaza in La Cage aux Folles at a time when it seems there have never been so many men in frocks in London's West End. As well as Norton, Michael Ball is packing audiences in as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray. On Friday, the Royal Court opens with Wig Out!, a celebration of New York's black drag queen scene. And in the new year a stage version of Priscilla Queen of the Desert opens at the Palace Theatre, with Jason Donovan.Norton is taking over from Douglas Hodge as the temperamental star act of a Saint-Tropez nightclub. The feelgood musical - with its most famous song, I Am What I Am - moved successfully from the Menier Chocolate Factory in Southwark, where it was a sell-out, to the West End's Playhouse.Although Norton trained as an actor, he has spent most of his career in comedy. "I just think this is a fantastic show, so if I don't destroy it in some sort of terrible Godzilla-in-heels crashing through a delicate jungle way, then I'll be really pleased. When you watch the show, you'd have to be such a curmudgeonly, horrible person not to leave the theatre in a good mood."He added: "I think some people will be very suspicious of me coming into this, but they should come and see this because I won't be as awful as they think. The good thing is that the theatre public can rest assured I have no ambitions for musical theatre apart from this."Norton revealed a touch too much detail at yesterday's announcement - he needs to shave his armpits, chest and back though not, thanks to thick tights, his legs - but the singing voice was "embargoed".Norton saw the touring version of the original La Cage aux Folles musical in San Francisco in 1984. "I remember then thinking, when I'm old enough, I would love, love, love to do it. Of course it might not be my dreams coming true, it might be my nightmares coming true."Norton will be in La Cage aux Folles between January 19 and April 25, taking days off when The Graham Norton Show on BBC2 returns in the new year.TheatreTelevisionMusicalsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2008 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Published: Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:18:00 GMT - Source: Guardian.Co.Uk - Read the article
Europe
Graham Norton to star in La Cage Aux Folles
Graham Norton is taking to the stage to star in the West End theatre production of La Cage Aux Folles.
Published: Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:53:01 GMT - Source: Telegraph.Co.Uk - Read the article
Europe
Norton to star in drag in musical
TV presenter Graham Norton says he is bracing himself for "harsh reviews" when he stars as drag artist Zaza in West End musical La Cage aux Folles.
Published: Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:48:57 GMT - Source: News.Bbc.Co.Uk - Read the article
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