Theatre Review: Cabaret - New Wimbledon Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Cabaret

New Wimbledon Theatre

Cabaret has always been an odd one for me, as I have never seen it on stage or screen, yet I know all the songs from the show instantly!

If, like me, you haven't a clue what this show is about, let me enlighten you - As the Nazis begin their rise to power in Germany in the late 1920s, American writer Clifford Bradshaw visits Berlin. After making a few friends and finding housing, Clifford visits the sleazy Kit Kat Club and meets an English singer, Sally Bowles. The writer and singer soon fall in love. Meanwhile, Clifford's elderly landlord, Fraulein Schneider, gets engaged to a Jewish greengrocer, Herr Schultz – not an easy decision given the increasing influence of the Nazis. Soon, Clifford discovers that he has been inadvertently helping the Nazis by delivering packages to Paris for a German friend of his, Ernst Ludwig. Clifford ends up deciding to return to the United States but Sally, after aborting their baby, decides to remain in Berlin.

Will Young as Emcee
Photo by Keith Pattison

So that's the gist of it, throw in some fantastic songs, powerful performances and you have the recipe for success, and this production holds no bounds. All of the ensemble are very strong and have great voices that go with the slick arrangements. the choreography from Javier de Frutos is very good indeed, especially in the way that staircases are involved!

Siobhan Dillon gives a mesmerising performance as Sally Bowles throughout, and with a spine-tingling rendition of 'Maybe This Time', Siobhan shows control of her vocals magnificently. Lyn Paul and Linal Haft as Fraulein Schneider and Herr Schultz respectively, also give fine performances, especially with the appearance of the pineapple in 'It Couldn't Please Me More'.

Star of the show though is Will Young as Emcee, delightfully charming and funny, he has good rapport with the audience and his comic timing is spot on - watch his face in 'Two Ladies' and you will see what I mean - a crowd pleaser if ever there was one.

Top all this off with a great touring set, a tight band, lovely lighting and sound and you have a winning formula on stage.
Life is a Cabaret old chum... and it certainly is worth going to this Cabaret if you want to see a fabulous musical on stage.

Five stars ✭✭✭✭✭

Listings Info

Cabaret is playing at New Wimbledon Theatre until Saturday 31st August. More details and tickets here http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre/

Tour Dates

2 - 7 Sep Liverpool
Empire Theatre

9 - 14 Sep Manchester
Opera Theatre

17 - 21 Sep Bristol
Hippodrome

23- 28 Sep Bradford
Alhambra Theatre

1 - 5 Oct Eastbourne
Congress Theatre

15 - 19 Oct Blackpool
Opera House

21 - 26 Oct Edinburgh
Kings Theatre

29 Oct - 2 Nov Dublin
Gaiety Theatre

5 - 9 Nov Oxford
New Theatre

12 - 16 Nov Tunbridge Wells
Assembly Hall

18 - 23 Nov Hull
New Theatre

26 - 30 Nov Wolverhampton
Grand Theatre