West End star John Owen-Jones (The Great British Bake Off Musical, Les Miserables) has been forced to leave the hit revival of La Cage aux Folles, currently playing at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
With only two weeks to go for the show, which ends on 23 September 2023, Owen Jones released a statement on social media saying that he has had to pull out of the show due to illness.
He said on X that, “I am disappointed to say that, after taking medical advice, I must withdraw from the brilliant production of La Cage Aux Folles at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and not perform for the remaining two weeks of the run. I’ve been fighting a nasty viral throat infection for weeks and whilst I am slowly improving it has become clear that I must rest from performing for a little while to aid my full recovery. I’m very sad to leave earlier than planned as I think the show is sensational – in fact I highly recommend you make a visit – and I am grateful to everyone at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre for their understanding and support.”
Owen Jones has been suffering from ill health through the run, also having an upper respiratory tract infection in mid August – and we wish John a speedy recovery.
A number of the cast have been covering, and now playing, the role of Edward Dindon, including Craig Armstrong and Peter Forbes.
The production also stars Carl Mullaney (Chicago, Les Misérables) as Albin, and Billy Carter (A Moon For The Misbegotten) as Georges, alongside Ben Culleton as Jean-Michel, Julie Jupp as Marie Dindon, Shakeel Kimotho as Jacob, Debbie Kurup (The Cher Show) as Jacqueline, and Sophie Pourret (42nd Street) as Anne.
The cast also features Jak Allen-Anderson (Hanna), Craig Armstrong (Cagelle, understudy Edward), Tom Bales (Cagelle), Taylor Bradshaw (Cagelle), Daniele Coombe (Mme. Renaud), Jordan Lee Davies (Chantal), Nicole Deon (Ensemble), Lewis Easter (Cagelle/Swing/Dance Captain), Harvey Ebbage (Cagelle), Emma Johnson (Ensemble/Swing), George Lynham (Cagelle), JP McCue (Cagelle), Rishard-Kyro Nelson (Cagelle/Swing), Alexandra Waite-Roberts (Ensemble) and Hemi Yeroham (Francis).
The much-loved musical, which got some fabulous reviews from the critics when it opened in August, is directed by Timothy Sheader, and has a book by Harvey Fierstein, with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman.
The creative team also includes Thyrza Abrahams (Associate Director), Amy Ball (Casting Director), Arthur Carrington (Associate Casting Director), Guy Common (Make Up Designer), Ryan Dawson Laight (Costume Designer), James Hassett (Associate Sound Designer), Howard Hudson (Lighting Designer), Nick Lidster (Sound Designer), Ingrid Mackinnon (Season Associate – Intimacy Support), Stephen Mear (Choreographer), Ebony Molina (Associate Choreographer), Janis Price (Voice & Text Director), Colin Richmond (Set Designer), Tom Slade (Assistant Musical Director), Ben van Tienen (Musical Director) and Jennifer Whyte (Musical Supervisor).
La Cage Aux Folles is playing at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre until 23 September 2023.
Book tickets to La Cage Aux Folles at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in London
