Brief SynopsisLa Cage aux Folles began life as a stage play in 1973 and was then adapted into a wildly popular French film premiering in 1978, a wickedly funny musical farce about two gay men, Georges and Albin, who have had a relationship for over 20 years. They own a glamorous nightclub in St. Tropez where one is the star and the other the MC.
When Georges’ son, the product of a one-night stand years ago, brings home the daughter of a very conservative French politician and announces their impending marriage, slapstick comedy ensues as everyone tries to pretend they are someone or something they are not.The stuffy politician, his wife and the innocent young couple who just want to get married provide an hilarious storyline and Georges and Albin define the best of friendship and love that only gets stronger through the years.In many ways, this is an old-fashioned musical about old-fashioned family values…..with a twist!In 1996, the original film was remade….as The Birdcage, starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane.
Prior to coming to Canberra, Len played a variety of roles in Adelaide such as Che Guevara in Macrune’s Guevara, King O’Malley in The Legend Of King O’Malley and Lenny in Harold Pinter's The Homecoming. He also appeared in The Devils, Anastasia, David Williamson's What If You Died Tomorrow?, Mary Of Scotland and Pygmalion.
He has played in many musicals including Jack the Ripper and The London Blitz Show in Adelaide and, in Canberra, Guys And Dolls, Canterbury Tales, Hello, Dolly!, Sweeney Todd, Chicago, Titanic, The Boy Friend and A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum.
His most recent appearances were in Moliere’s The Learned Ladies at Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Lady Windermere’s Fan for Canberra Rep and Supa Productions’ 2012 revival of Titanic.
When not performing, Len is supposed to be retired but is a theatre critic for Canberra City News, Canberra Critics Circle and Artsound FM’s ‘Dress Circle’ program as well as being involved in far too many other things.
Greg is very excited to be playing Tommy Keeler in Annie Get Your Gun. The character has been a lot of fun to explore and provides the opportunity to showcase a range of skills and emotions throughout the show. He is very grateful for the opportunity that the production team has extended to him.
Greg has previously featured in Queanbeyan City Council's I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, played The Bishop and Brujon, and understudied Thenardier in Canberra Philharmonic's Les Misérables and played Skimbleshanks in Free-Rain's Cats. He has also performed in Queanbeyan City Council's Hair, Queanbeyan Players' Jesus Christ Superstar, Canberra Philharmonic's 42nd Street, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and West Side Story, and Phoenix Players' The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Thanks to the cast and crew for their tireless commitment and support throughout the production period.
Jamie Winbank is a dancer, improvisation artist, choreographer and dance teacher based in Canberra. Originally from Young, NSW he has studied at The University of Sydney, NIDA (The Presenters Studio) and graduated from WAAPA (Bachelor of Arts – Dance) in 2011. Jamie was the movement director for Canberra’s first major fashion festival, FASHFEST, and the Assistant to the Artistic Director for the 2013 Australian Dance Awards and CSIRO’s DANscienCE Festival.
As a dancer, Jamie has performed in Meryl Tankard’s “VX18504” for ATYP, Kate Champion’s “My Mutation” for Sydney Spring Dance Festival, performed an intervention in Les Ballet’s C De La B’s production of “Out of Context: For Pina” and most recently in a guest role as the Bear in LINK Dance Company’s East Coast Tour of “I Said Ha Ha” choreographed by Ross McCormack. Jamie has been a member of QL2 Dance’s youth ensemble, Quantum Leap for 9 years as a performer including in “Eternity”, “Reckless Valour” and “Landscape: time.place.identity” at the Playhouse Theatre and also in “Toes On The Edge” (a tour across Thailand). He appeared as Macavity in Free Rain Theatre’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “CATS”.
As a choreographer he has presented works in Canberra, Sydney and Perth. 2012 saw Jamie teaming up with with Melbourne dance artist Kelly Beneforti, co-choreographing and performing in “Couch” for Dance On The Edge at Belconnen Arts Centre; being invited as a guest panelist at “The Next Gen”, a youth arts forum at Belconnen Arts Centre; performing a roving improvisation at Art Not Apart with independent artist Alison Plevey and teach several workshops in and around Canberra.
Alicia DC has been singing for as long as she can remember. Performing in choirs and chamber ensembles for many years, Alicia's first musical theatre performance was in The Pirates of Penzance (Maiden/Policeman) while at the University of Melbourne.
Since moving to Canberra, Alicia has performed in Queanbeyan Players' Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Liza), HMS Pinafore (Ensemble) and Return to the Forbidden Planet (Navigation Officer); Free-Rain Theatre Company's Guys and Dolls (Ensemble); Canberra Philharmonic's West Side Story (Shark Girl) and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator); Supa Productions' Avenue Q (Gary Coleman) and Footloose (Betty Blast); and Phoenix/Sevenonesix's original production It Was That Way When I Got Here (Ensemble).
Alicia's latest musical theatre performance was in Free-Rain Theatre Company's production of Mary Poppins at the Canberra Theatre, where she played eccentric sweet shop owner Mrs Corry.
Alicia's second love is singing (after economics - she is an economist by trade). In 2015, Alicia achieved a High Distinction in her Certificate of Performance exam in classical singing (AMEB). Alicia is now preparing for her AMusA exam with her teacher Michelle Klemke.