‘What was hilariously camp has a miserable vulgarity’ – La Cage aux Folles

This musical adaptation by Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman of the unique French movie (and Hollywood remake) retains its tunefulness and lyrically adroit songs however loses among the spangled sophistication in Timothy Sheader’s manufacturing.

It is the story of an ageing homosexual couple Georges (Billy Carter) and Albin (Carl Mullaney) who need to recalibrate their sexuality when Georges’ straight son Jean-Michel (Ben Culleton) invitations the ultra-conservative mother and father of his fiancee to fulfill ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’.

What was hilariously camp has a miserable vulgarity about it right here – extra Scarborough than St Tropez. The songs are nonetheless fabulous, although, and the well-drilled flamboyance of Stephen Mears’ choreography would do credit score to the all-male ballerinas of The Trocks.

The singing is variable, although Mullaney – a mixture of Divine and Mae West in full drag regalia – is powerfully geared up, lung-wise, and delivers the queer anthem I Am What I Am with shifting efficiency.

His reflection on ageing, (A Little More) Mascara, subtly recollects Lady Wishfort’s lament in Congreve’s The Way of the World “I look like an old peeled wall”.

Culleton has a Charlie Stemp-like presence and sings properly although the chemistry between him and his inamorata is subsequent to zero in a manufacturing that has little emotional engagement.

The nightclub set is superbly designed and the band punches properly above its weight however the glamour has evaporated together with the pathos of the unique.

La Cage aux Folles, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre till September 16 Tickets: 0333 400 3562