An escalation of feathers and sequins, a delicious 100% Quebecois text and, above all, a frankly astonishing Alex Perron: the new version of The Crazy Cage is already establishing itself as the funniest show to have appeared in Quebec for a very, very long time.
The idea of reviving the characters of The crazy cage on stage in Montreal was cheeky. After all, times seem to have changed a lot since the creation of this cult work on the Parisian stage in 1973.
But by deciding to transport the plot from the Côte d’Azur to the gay village of the metropolis, director Joël Legendre gives us a greater proximity to these larger-than-life characters, at the same time taking a fresh look on the work of the author Jean Poiret.
The characters therefore express themselves in a very local language and, above all, they multiply the references to Michèle Richard, Serge Laprade and other Guilda, all well known to the public here.
The plot, however, remains unchanged; There we meet Albin and Georges, a gay couple who own a popular drag queen cabaret. Their routine is, however, turned upside down by the visit of the son of one of them announcing his intention to get married… and to introduce them to his particularly conservative in-laws.
Marcel Leboeuf and Alex Perron in a scene from “La Cage aux Folles”.
TOMA ICZKOVITS
Alex Perron impresses
We thought we knew all the facets of Alex Perron’s talent when we entered the Studio-Cabaret de l’Espace St-Denis on Tuesday evening. Well, the comedian managed to surprise us (read: knock us down), revealing an exceptional acting talent by donning Albin’s wig and pumps. He succeeds in making this famous character his own, so much so that we sometimes forget the legendary interpretation of Michel Serreault.
It must be said that he is also particularly well supported by Marcel Leboeuf who is perfectly invested in the skin of Georges. The chemistry between the two men helps unite their duo, creating a complicity conducive to hilarious and absolutely enjoyable vaudeville exchanges.
As for the title of the show’s revelation, it rightfully belongs to Timothée Galais-Bayonne. Recently graduated from the UQAM École supérieure de théâtre, he impresses with his physical performance and his obvious comedic talent. A name to remember, indeed.
A cabaret atmosphere
PHOTO BRUNO LAPOINTE / LE JOURNAL DE MONTRÉAL
We would also be remiss if we ignored the presence of four Montreal queens responsible for creating a drag-queen cabaret atmosphere both in the minutes preceding the show and during the intermission, warming up the atmosphere with tunes borrowed from Diane Dufresne, Dalida, Nana Mouskouri and Dolly Parton.
From the crowd, Michel Dorion and Rainbow stand out, the first for the professionalism she exudes and the second for her undeniable charisma and magnetism.
In short, we get out of this Crazy cage exhilarated Quebecois, a smile on her face… and inhabited by a burning desire to return there a second time.
The show The Crazy Cage is presented at the Studio-Cabaret of Espace St-Denis in Montreal until November 16. A provincial tour should be announced soon.
