Photo : Thomas Amouroux
3 reasons to applaud "La Cage aux folles" at the Seine Musicale
Prepare to be dazzled by a powerhouse production that breathes fresh, high-energy life into a timeless comedic masterpiece. Between the shimmering costumes, incredible choreography, and a standout lead performance, this show delivers the perfect mix of spectacle and heartfelt defiance.
Seine Musicale
About
The Seine Musicale presents a grand adaptation of La Cage aux folles, directed by Olivier Py. This modern take on the classic story explores LGBTQIA+ themes and family dynamics as a cabaret-owning couple prepares to meet their son's conservative in-laws. Laurent Lafitte stars as the flamboyant Zaza alongside opera singer Damien Bigourdan. With its stunning costumes and energetic musical numbers, this production runs for two hours and forty minutes. Suitable for ages 12 and up, the venue is fully wheelchair accessible. Catch this vibrant show on the Île Seguin until November 14, 2026.
1 > A subject that hasn't aged a day
1973. Jean Poiret and Michel Serrault perform in La Cage aux folles. This play, directed by Pierre Mondy, tackles the then-taboo subject of homosexuality: we discover a middle-aged couple, owners of a cabaret, who have raised a son together. Now an adult, he must introduce his two fathers to his future ultra-conservative parents-in-law. The show causes a stir... because it's a hit. The comedy, performed nearly 2,000 times before being adapted into a film in 1978, would even have two sequels.
In 1983, the Americans took hold of the plot and mounted a Broadway musical, The Birdcage. Multi-award-winning, it became an ode to diversity. And it is this adaptation that the director of the Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris Center), Olivier Py, has translated, directed, and modernized. In 2025, the questions of same-sex parenting and LGBTQIA+ rights bring a new reading here.
2 > It’s a… sparkling role for Laurent Lafitte
Laurent Lafitte is Zaza! The actor stepped into the skin of this extravagant drag queen with communicative joy. Alongside the man who plays his lover Georges (the opera singer Damien Bigourdan), he displays new facets of his acting: a sense of burlesque, choreographed dances, singing, interactions with the audience, and a radiant smile. We laugh as much at his flamboyant numbers as we do at his character's vulnerability. A madly communicative energy that makes us almost want to hum in the metro on the way home!
Laurent Lafitte in "La Cage aux folles", at the Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris Center). ; Credits: Thomas Amouroux "La Cage aux folles", at the Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris Center). ; Credits: Thomas Amouroux3 > It’s a jubilant show
First, there is the grandiose staging: a hundred dazzling costumes, dozens of unbridled choreographies, cheeky humor, and catchy music. Not to mention the impressive sets: at times, we are on the stage of La Cage aux folles with its dancers—Les Cagelles—, and at others, backstage at the cabaret, where dramas unfold. We laugh a lot, we admire the cabaret acts, but above all, we applaud the idea of being "finally yourself" in a world that doesn't always allow it.
At the end of the two hours and forty minutes of the show, the captivated crowd rises for this superb production that honors the Parisian scene. After this, you will never say again: "It was better on Broadway!"
Éléonore V.
Our take on this event
Olivier Py brings a fresh, modern perspective to La Cage aux folles at the Seine Musicale. Drawing inspiration from the celebrated Broadway adaptation, this production offers a contemporary look at homoparenthood and diversity. The narrative centers on Georges, a cabaret owner, and his partner Zaza, as they navigate the complexities of meeting their son's ultra-conservative future in-laws. Laurent Lafitte delivers a captivating performance as Zaza, showcasing his talents in singing, dancing, and comedy, with Damien Bigourdan providing a brilliant counterpoint as Georges.
Visually, the show is a spectacle featuring over a hundred vibrant costumes, intricate sets, and the high-energy performances of Les Cagelles. Beyond the humor and cabaret flair, the play invites the audience to celebrate the courage of being one's true self. The performance lasts two hours and forty minutes. It is open to guests from the age of 12, and the facility is wheelchair accessible. The run extends from December 5, 2025, through November 14, 2026, with specific showtimes scheduled from October 30, 2026, to November 14, 2026, at the Seine Musicale in Boulogne-Billancourt.