GRAHAM NORTON TO TAKE TO STAGE IN DRAG

It’s been revealed that gay actor, comedian and TV presenter Graham Norton will appear in drag in a West End musical next year.

According to the BBC, Norton made the announcement at a press conference dressed in a shiny red sequinned dress, blonde wig and full make-up.

Norton is set to star as the drag character Zaza in the revival of La Cage aux Folles from 19 January to 25 April next year at London’s Playhouse Theatre.

He takes over from Douglas Hodge who is currently performing the part. Norton joked that the news was “a late Christmas present for theatre critics”.

“There will be a lot of people who will be like, ‘alright, show us then’ and the reason I’m doing it is because I really love the show and really want to play this part,” he said.

Norton is best known for his risqué television chat programme, The Graham Norton Show, which is broadcast by the BBC. He has also appeared in films such as Another Gay Movie.

La Cage aux Folles is a musical based on the 1973 French play by Jean Poiret and subsequent 1978 French-Italian screen version. The musical focuses on a gay couple: the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his star attraction.

The Birdcage, a Hollywood version of the 1978 film, starring Robin Williams, was released in 1996.