Norton drags himself on stage in La Cage aux Folles
FLAMBOYANT TV star Graham Norton is turning drag queen as he steps into high heels to star in La Cage aux Folles.
Norton, 45, is taking over from Douglas Hodge as Albin, the star performer in a Saint-Tropez nightclub, in the current West End production of the cult musical.
He will make his theatrical debut on 19 January and appear until 25April except for an estimated 10 dates that clash with his television commitments.
The Irish entertainer trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama and began his career as an actor in work such as the TV series Father Ted.
But he has become famous thanks to his work as a chat show host on Channel 4 and the BBC and as a TV compere.
His first stint as a leading man - albeit in fancy frocks - comes after he has spent several series helping the nation choose the next stars for The Sound of Music and Joseph in the BBC Saturday night prime-time shows How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? and Any Dream Will Do. The last show was I'd Do Anything, the search for Nancy for the forthcoming Oliver! The Musical. He has previously appeared on stage doing stand-up. Both Norton and Hodge will also join forces as a double act in a special La Cage aux Folles number for the Royal Variety Show on BBC1 on 17 December.
La Cage aux Folles is a musical by Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman based on a 1973 French play and subsequent French-Italian movie.
The film was hugely popular but the 1983 Broadway version proved controversial as the Aids epidemic was beginning to hit the American gay community.
The story focuses on a gay couple, Georges, the manager of a drag nightclub, and Albin, his biggest attraction. Complications ensue when Georges's son brings home his girlfriend's conservative mother and father who are fiercely opposed to the local nightlife.
The current production opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory at the end of last year and was a sell-out even before opening night. It hit problems when Douglas Hodge contracted a chest infection that led to severe bronchitis in both lungs. His appearance had to be delayed.
But it proved so popular the show was revived in the West End at the Playhouse Theatre in October.
Hodge's co-star is currently Denis Lawson, who is best known from the first Star Wars trilogy and the film Local Hero. Lawson also leaves the cast in January when the part of Georges will be taken by Steven Pacey, an Olivier-winning actor who was in Blake's 7.
Ticket prices for the production are to drop from 1 December to take account of the Government's decision to reduce VAT.
Other productions, including those in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group of theatres, and Billy Elliot, have also pledged to pass on the cut.
