Article from the MUSE

The Birdcage returns after sellout shows
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The Birdcage
Starring Chris Downey, Chris Mercer, and Jeremy Viera
Deadpan Alley
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It's a testament to the quality of local theatre when hopeful patrons are turned down at the door. A St. John's socialite couple were sent away from the LSPU Hall after waiting in line for tickets to Deadpan Alley's latest - a roaring, sensational production of The Birdcage, directed by Janet K. Graham. I couldn't blame the couple for arriving 15 minutes before the curtain lifted: Who knew a show with more drag than the Clarenville Strip could sell out - twice?

A revision of the hilarious 1996 movie starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane (itself a remake of the French film and play La Cage Aux Folles), The Birdcage is a raucous tale of gay couple Armand (Chris Downey) and Albert (Chris Mercer) - one a club owner, the other it's sensational star. Throughout the play, they go to great lengths to help their straight son Val marry the girl of his dreams, Barbara, whose father is the candy-loving, God-fearing Senator Keeley (a man so conservative he probably wears everything to the right).

Spilt into two chapters, the play explodes in a series of hilarious set pieces detailing every step of Albert's and Armand's charade to convince the senator and his wife that Val is worthy of marriage by pulling the ultimate con - going straight. Cue the hijinx as Armand and Albert stumble towards a resolution that will have you laughing, even if you've seen the movie before.

If a good play rests on the strength of its actors, The Birdcage deserves to be sold out repeatedly. Comic timing, sudden pratfalls, and coy self-reference are just the beginning here; special mention goes to the actors playing the over-the-top but lovable Albert and the faithful manservant Agador (Jeremy Viera).Mercer's Albert is the catalyst for most of the play's humour, as he hams up the effeminate starlet to great effect. Swooning along to every new plot twist, Albert is more drama than drag queen, but the audience wouldn't want it any other way. As the bouncy butler of the couple, Viera comes dangerously close to stealing the show from the talented cast.

The end left me with only one complaint: It was over too quickly. The charaters had endeared themselves into the audience's hearts, and it was a disappointment to see a close to the fancy song numbers and the creatively fab costumes. This was a shared feeling, as Deadpan Alley are now putting off two additional shows in response to the fantastic ticket sales. If you missed the show the first time, here's your chance to catch it again.Deadpan Alley's production of The Birdcage at the LSPU Hall returns Oct. 6 and 7. Showtime is 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door, and are also available in advance at the LSPU box office.