Bill Kenwright Limited presents

Cabaret

directed by Rufus Norris
book by Joe Masteroff
music by John Kander
lyrics by Fred Ebb

Reviewed by Sue Marks at Milton Keynes Theatre on Monday 13^th April 2009.

If you like your theatre dark and raunchy then this is for you. Set in and around the Kit Kat Club in 1931 this play provides a snapshot of pre-fascist Berlin. Already considered a decadent city, the recent abolition of censorship had facilitated a new age of permissiveness.

The overall theme of the set is black with flashes of colour or strips of light bulbs to accentuate its darkness. There is an initial sign with letters a metre high spelling out wilkommen in three sets of three, allowing an opening iris in the centre of the O and a kiosk window in the upper half of the E. The rear of the stage was split three above and three below giving the effect of looking into six different rooms. This was sometimes enhanced with a staircase in the centre. There was also a plain black fascia with three black doors in. Props included three beds, two straight ladders and a large wheeled set of steps. Using these fairly simple sets this production managed some nineteen scenes including street scenes, border control, the club, apartments and a shop. I thought the total effect was visually striking and very professional.

This show centres on the relationship between Clifford Bradshaw played by Henry Luxemburg and Sally Bowles played by Samantha Barks. Both of these actors gave a fine performance and sang well, Miss Barks in particular having an incredibly powerful voice. The major part in the show has to be that of the MC at the Kit Kat Club which Wayne Sleep has made his own in his usual charismatic way. Fraulein Schneider was taken by Jenny Logan who gave a good all round performance, which I found particularly endearing. The other major characters were Ernst Ludwig played by Karl Moffatt, Herr Schultz played by Matt Zimmerman and Fraulein Kost played by Suanne Braun who all gave a fine performance.  I especially enjoyed Matt Zimmerman’s portrayal of the character Herr Schultz. The members of the cabaret were Danni Bowen, Jessica Ellen, Nouska Hanly, Lucy James, Hendrick January, Alistair Postlethwaite, Rebecca Scarrott, Benjamin Timothy, Cydney Uffindell-Phillips and Tom Woods.  Although he had a minor part I found Theo Cook’s performance as Hans in the last scene of Act one particularly good.

Whilst much of the costume was down to suspenders and stockings Wayne Sleep’s attire can only be described as lavish including a leather Basque, lederhosen and boots worn with a tailcoat, velvet suits and a stylised cat outfit composed of long fur which started behind the head  and came over the shoulders finishing behind the back in a long tail. Coats were worn where lingerie would have been inappropriate and mention must be made of Sally Bowles fur coat.

I found the music excellent not only in terms of the score written by John Kander but also the little hints of thirties jazz played before the acts which provided appropriate ambience. The sound quality and volume were good effectively complimenting actors’ voices and not drowning them.

I thought it was well choreographed and dance sequences were well performed. Wayne’s Sleep’s dancing lived up to expectations and was excellent.

I really enjoyed this performance; I thought it was an excellent production which clearly demonstrated that everyone involved had worked hard to achieve this standard.

Cabaret plays Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 18^th April 2009.  Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office 0870 060 6652 (bkg fee).The tour then continues playing The Churchill Bromley from Monday 20^th to Saturday 25^th April 2009.

www.miltonkeynestheatre.com www.kenwright.com

Reviewed by Sue Marks at Milton Keynes Theatre on Monday 13^th April 2009.