RIALTO CHATTER: Barrowman 'Albin' Bound for UK LA CAGE?

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye reports that renowned UK singer and performer John Barrowman is in early negotiations to put on a sequinned gown, high heels and false eyelashes for the West End show La Cage aux Folles.

The plan, being shaped and based on his schedule for a new BBC1 primetime TV show that begins over Easter - would have him in wigs and singing 'I Am What I Am' on stage as transvestite Albin in the Olivier award winning revival of La Cage from late August for a three-month run, after Philip Quast and Roger Allam end their stints. (Graham Norton is currently playing the Albin role at the Playhouse Theatre.)

Following the record-breaking success of La Cage aux Folles, the Producers  announced earlier this month that the glamorous musical comedy will extend its run at the Playhouse Theatre until January 9th 2010. 

Bamigboye also reveals that Barrowman has been singing the part of Raoul for the concept album of The Phantom of the Opera sequel, Love Never Dies, but stresses he is not doing the stage show.

Barrowman played Raoul in the early Nineties, and was rumored to play the Phantom in Love Never Dies himself at one time. To read the full Daily Mail article click here.

Barrowman will also be taking part in the upcoming summer Henley Festival. Barrowman will guest in the Pure Gold from the Silver Screen concert, Sir Michael Parkinson will host the July 10 evening of songs from the big screen.

Barrowman is a common face in English house-holds, having been a judge on UK reality TV shows "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" and the BBC program "I'd Do Anything" (to cast stars of Oliver!). He is also the star of the hit TV series "Torchwood."

Barrowman appeared on the West End in 2005 in A Few Good Men. His many other West End credits include Anything Goes (both in 1989 and in its 2003 revival), Grease!, The Phantom of the Opera, The Fix, Hair, Aspects of Love, Miss Saigon, Beauty and the Beast and Chicago, and he has appeared in the States in two Sondheim shows--Broadway's Putting It Together and as Bobby in Company at the Kennedy Center, as well as in Sunset Boulevard. Barrowman has appeared on TV on "Central Park West," and "Titans," and currently plays Captain Jack Harkness on the BBC series "Doctor Who." Film credits include De-Lovely and The Producers.