All in the Details
My partner saw a gorgeous butterfly when she was walking our dog the other day. I can’t even begin to describe it as she did - many colors, many different markings. She stood there marveling at its beauty…until she realized that this gorgeous creature was perched on a piece of dog poop.
A truly detailed, emotionally specific and connected performance can have the same breathtaking effect - even when it’s found in a less-than-perfect play.
Which is not to say that the current production of La Cage aux Folles is dog poop - far from it. But, let’s be honest, it’s also not the most profound piece of theatre ever staged. Still, you wouldn’t know that from Douglas Hodge’s nuanced and at times incredibly subtle performance. Check out that link I found, an interview with The New York Times: Apparently his secret is that he treats Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein’s fluff like it’s a Pinter drama.
I saw the original production - twice! (long story) - and have always been of the opinion that if I never saw La Cage again, my life would still be complete. I emerged from the theatre last night feeling like I could see Hodge’s performance a dozen times and get something new from each viewing. It’s like a master class in how to get to the emotional heart of a lyric.
