Norton drags himself to the West End
Debut role in gay musical
Graham Norton is to make his West End debut next year with a leading role in drag-queen musical La Cage Aux Folles.The comic and chat-show host will take over from actor Douglas Hodge as Albin, the flamboyant boyfriend of gay nightclub owner Georges.
And he will give a preview of his performance alongside the rest of the cast at the Royal Variety Performance on December 11, which airs on BBC One six days later.
Norton will be donning the sequined dresses properly from January 19, when the show extends its run at the Playhouse Theatre.
His stint will last until April 25, but because of TV commitments he will not appear on Saturdays January 24 and 31; and Wednesdays from March 4 to April 22 inclusive.
The original musical production of La Cage Aux Folles – based on an 1973 play – opened at the Palace Theatre on Broadway in 1983, where it ran for 1,761 performances. This new production started at London fringe venue the Menier Chocolate Factory last year, before transferring to the Playhouse last month.
Published: 27 Nov 2008
