Regents Park Open Air Theatre – until 16 September 2023
Reviewed by Alec Legge
5*****
Unfortunately opening night of this well loved show had been washed out but with my fingers crossed I hoped the second night would turn out fine and I’m so glad it did, indeed I will be in danger of running out of superlatives during my review of this fantastic show.
Fortunately the night was warm and balmy, perfect for seeing the show outdoors.
Georges, Billy Carter, opened with a welcome to San Tropez as the MC of a drag nightclub on the French Riviera. And then the Chorus of Drag Queens known as Les Cagelles came on, What a sight to behold in their stunning over the top outfits and wigs! Their dancing was extremely well choreographed and coordinated. They appeared regularly throughout the show and I must mention their can can routine which was superbly executed with amazing dance moves and in which Albin, Carl Mullaney, joined in. For me this was the best routine in the show, absolutely awesome although the final scene with the whole cast performing was stupendous as well.
In between the dance numbers the plot unfolded, with Jean Michel, Ben Culleton, who was Georges son by a lady called Sybil, and was brought up by Georges and Albin, announcing that he was in love and going to marry a girl Anne, Sophie Pourret. Unfortunately Anne is the daughter of a right wing politician who wants to ban drag clubs, and who Jean Michel has invited to stay overnight at Georges and Albin’s flat. Jean Michel is so scared that the politician, Edward Dindon, Craig Armstrong, would not allow the marriage if he discovered that Georges and Albin were in a homosexual relationship.
Jean Michel then relates to Georges that he wants to change the flamboyant décor of the flat and that he wants Albin to vacate the flat for the night and his real mother Sybil to take her place as he feared Albins camp ways would give the game away. The play then continues with great comedy and excellent music, singing and dance.
I think the story line is well known but I won’t give any more away to those unfamiliar with it, suffice to say it was wonderfully comic with pathos included. It was very well received by the audience and after the fantastic closing number the cast were given a well deserved standing ovation.
The whole cast were admirable but I would single out Sophie Pourret, Anne, Ben Colleton, Jean Michel, Shakeel Kimotho, as Jacob Albin’s maid and of course Billy Carter as Geoges, Carl Mullaney, Albin, for special mention. Altogether the cast was truly superb and the seemed to be enjoying performing for us, which made for a wonderfully enjoyable evening for the audience.
The stage set had an art deco styled frontage behind which was a covered area set out as the interior of a night club with the band in one corner in plain sight of the audience. There was a large apron stage in front where most of the action took place. The clever use of mobile scenery on the apron enhanced the acting, particularly the scene in Albin’s dressing room, the promenade and the scene in the restaurant,’ Chez Jacqueline’,
The theatre itself is shielded on three sides by mature trees with the seating sloping up quite steeply thus giving a good view to all seats. I also noticed that there was disabled access for wheelchairs. The seating was adequate with plenty of leg room. The sound reproduction was very good and I could hear every word spoken or sung. The costumes worn by the Les Cagelles and the Ensemble were fantastically splendiferous and really enhanced the performance!
I have given a well deserved 5 Stars to the performance and would encourage all to see it and have a truly entertaining and pleasurable evening at this marvellous musical, rip roaringly funny comedy!