Drag queen role for Norton

Cork-born chat show host Graham Norton is becoming a drag queen to star in 'La Cage aux Folles'.

He will take over from Douglas Hodge by stepping into sequinned shoes as Albin in the West End production.

The character’s idyllic existence with partner Georges is threatened when Georges’ son announces his engagement to the daughter of a right-wing politician who wants to close down the local nightlife – and their Saint Tropez drag nightclub.

The original production opened on Broadway in August, 1983, where it became the biggest new American musical of the decade.

It won six Tony Awards and the show’s anthem 'I Am What I Am' became an instant hit and was recorded by a variety of artists, including Gloria Gaynor and Shirley Bassey.

'La Cage aux Folles' opened at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory at the end of last year and all tickets for the run sold out before opening night.

The production has now been revived at the Playhouse Theatre, where it opened last month.

'La Cage aux Folles' will feature in next month’s Royal Variety Performance.

Norton will join the cast on January 19 until April 25, 2009, but he will not do all dates due to television commitments.

He is currently hosting the latest series of his BBC2 chat show 'The Graham Norton Show'.

He recently fronted reality talent show 'I’d Do Anything' for BBC1 and previous television work includes Channel 4 chat shows and BBC programmes including 'How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?' and 'Any Dream Will Do'.