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Post by sfsusan on Dec 9, 2022 0:11:58 GMT
I saw this again tonight (first saw it with Eddie Redmayne shortly after it opened) and was mostly pleased by the changes. I thought Callum Scott Howells was excellent (he had a strong singing voice and made a very chilling and believable transition to a Nazi clone) as was Madeline Brewer.
I wasn't as thrilled with Vivien Parry as Fraulein Schneider,but can't put my finger on why. I just thought Liza Sadovy was much better.
Less pleasing than the performances were the audience reactions in a couple of spots. When Ms. Brewer was still finishing her very emotional, tormented rendition of 'Cabaret', a woman behind me seemed to take the song as inspiring life advice and let out a loud "woo!!!" at a pause in the song.
And during the Kristallnacht scene, lots of the audience was laughing when the blackout lifted and the debris was falling. I can only assume they were younger people who didn't know about Kristallnacht, and didn't get the tie between the stomped wedding glass and the shattered glass of Herr Schultz's store windows.
'Tomorrow Belongs to Me' created an awkward ending for Act 1. It felt inappropriate to applaud it, and I ended up not expressing my appreciation for the performances in the first act. (I don't remember this from my first visit, so don't know if that's a change or not.)
Also, if anyone is considering the Green Bar meal package, it's a bit of a hassle to get from your meal down to your seat (they suggest you arrive for dinner at 6:45 pm, and you really should start for your show seat by 7:15, especially if you want to visit the toilets first). And it's another hassle to get back up to the bar for your second drink, ice cream and macaron, then back to your seat in the 20-minute interval. Next time, I'd opt for the sandwich box and drinks at a table in the stalls.
The toilets are somewhat vaguely signed, as one is marked 'urinals' in some places, but the door itself simply says '4 cubicles, 8 urinals', but it's basically the men's room. The ladies' sign says "Toilets" and the door says '8 cubicles'. (There was a similar situation at the Old Vic the other night, with most women asking a nearby usher if 'x cubicles' meant it was the ladies' toilet.)
One more thing I didn't notice the first time is that the tiny drink shelves at the stalls seats are at just the right height for people to brush drinks and bottles off as they try to squeeze past to their own seats. And at the end of the show, a drink spilled in the balcony above me dripped onto my head and coat.
But I really enjoyed the show and am glad I went again.
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Post by lonlad on Dec 9, 2022 0:34:39 GMT
>>I wasn't as thrilled with Vivien Parry as Fraulein Schneider,but can't put my finger on why.
Probably because she's about 1000 times too much in the part and plays it as if she's trying to out-Sally Sally. Liza S and Elliot L were sublime and richly deserved their supporting Oliviers - arguably more so than the lead trophies for Jessie and Eddie. Callum on the other hand is a major revelation here: a really superb performance.
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Post by alece10 on Dec 9, 2022 8:59:16 GMT
>>I wasn't as thrilled with Vivien Parry as Fraulein Schneider,but can't put my finger on why. Probably because she's about 1000 times too much in the part and plays it as if she's trying to out-Sally Sally. Liza S and Elliot L were sublime and richly deserved their supporting Oliviers - arguably more so than the lead trophies for Jessie and Eddie. Callum on the other hand is a major revelation here: a really superb performance. [b No disrespect to the woman but I didn't like her singing voice. It sounded a bit screechy- there is probably a technical term for it.
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Post by lonlad on Dec 9, 2022 9:49:39 GMT
It's metallic and shrill, you're absolutely right.
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Post by jgblunners on Dec 9, 2022 9:58:27 GMT
I’ve been back to Cabaret at each cast change and while Callum is excellent and almost as captivating as Eddie was, I think Madeline is the weakest Sally so far. That’s not to say she’s not talented - she clearly is - but she is also clearly less experienced on stage than the other Sallys. With a few more years’ experience under her belt I reckon she’d be brilliant, but I feel that at the moment she doesn’t exude that confidence and magnetism that the other Sallys have had.
As a side note: Emily Benjamin, the alternate Sally, is exceptional, and anyone on the fence about whether to book a performance where Madeline is off shoud just take the jump. You won’t be disappointed!
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Dec 9, 2022 10:59:08 GMT
I think Matthew Gent is fantastic as the emcee. He was on yesterday
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Post by sfsusan on Dec 9, 2022 16:51:27 GMT
Oh my gosh, if that was the cover... wow!! I'm even more impressed! (Sorry for the misidentification... I don't buy programs, didn't see a notice and nothing was announced.)
As far as the toilets, I actually don't care if they're unisex as long as they're all cubicles. I'm not sure theaters are doing it to be 'woke' but to speed up the lines. And as long as the only thing I'm seeing is folks washing their hands, I don't care what gender they are.
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Post by andrew on Dec 10, 2022 1:02:28 GMT
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Post by playingdangerous on Dec 10, 2022 2:09:21 GMT
Finally!! Was hoping the news coming next week was going to be Eddie returning but this is just as good.
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Post by Kubrick on Dec 10, 2022 2:36:29 GMT
Amazing news!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2022 7:58:55 GMT
If the toilets discussion is going to continue, I wonder if Mods might move it to its own thread?
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 10, 2022 9:07:00 GMT
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Post by Kubrick on Dec 10, 2022 14:52:01 GMT
Happy to read that it was recorded live, which has been my hope since hearing the production was recorded last winter.
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Post by couldileaveyou on Dec 10, 2022 14:54:11 GMT
oh it must be the soundboard they were playing during the shooting of the trailer
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Post by cheri78 on Dec 11, 2022 11:30:14 GMT
Having seen so many different productions of Cabaret, this was exceptional. I particularly liked So What/What would you do?/Maybe This Time and although missed the original finale with the wonderful off key Wilkommen reprise, this ending was really moving and the drab grey suits and use of revolve really effective. One question though, I was there on a no preshow day (all performers ill apparently) so it was a waste of time getting there 1h early, but I was puzzled why the preshow recorded music was modern electronic stuff which couldn't be further removed from the era we were about to enter. OK I get that we were in a club, but surely something more in period would have been better. Still, small niggle and I must say that the £70 Dress Circle seats were excellent for sightlines.
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Dec 11, 2022 13:40:27 GMT
normally the prologue performers play jazz instruments and tunes over the pre-recorded stuff! They've got an accordion, clarinet, violin and possibly another instrument I've forgotten
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Post by shady23 on Dec 11, 2022 14:01:05 GMT
I’ve been back to Cabaret at each cast change and while Callum is excellent and almost as captivating as Eddie was, I think Madeline is the weakest Sally so far. That’s not to say she’s not talented - she clearly is - but she is also clearly less experienced on stage than the other Sallys. With a few more years’ experience under her belt I reckon she’d be brilliant, but I feel that at the moment she doesn’t exude that confidence and magnetism that the other Sallys have had. As a side note: Emily Benjamin, the alternate Sally, is exceptional, and anyone on the fence about whether to book a performance where Madeline is off shoud just take the jump. You won’t be disappointed! I have not seen Madeline but booked one of Emily's shows especially, having seen her previously when Jessie was on. Well off... I love that she now has scheduled dates. She really is wonderful I agree.
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Post by mattnyc on Dec 12, 2022 13:42:38 GMT
Fascinating to read that since I thought Madeline was far and away the best. This is why I’ve always said the character of Sally Is one of the best ever written - it can be played a million different ways and none of them are wrong. I’ve seen her meek, seen her BIG, seen her angry, seen her depressed, seen her funny etc. and every one of them is a legitimate take on the character.
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Post by stuartmcd on Dec 12, 2022 19:24:46 GMT
Neither page loads anymore. Hopefully this is them just trying to keep it a secret and not it being a mistake and not being released this week.
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Post by shambles on Dec 12, 2022 20:08:55 GMT
Neither page loads anymore. Hopefully this is them just trying to keep it a secret and not it being a mistake and not being released this week. Gah. Like you, I hope the release is still this week.
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Post by showtoones on Dec 12, 2022 21:34:07 GMT
Can someone please DM me and let me know about the ending of the show. I saw the show last week and just don’t understand the ending and as much as I love the production, the ending left me cold and I think it’s because I don’t really understand what was the intent of the Director or the symbolism.
Don’t want to ruin it for anyone who hasn’t seen the show, so being vague.
Also, I don’t understand the skeleton with the pearls costume. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated too.
Many thanks
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 15, 2022 5:17:05 GMT
Can someone please DM me and let me know about the ending of the show. I saw the show last week and just don’t understand the ending and as much as I love the production, the ending left me cold and I think it’s because I don’t really understand what was the intent of the Director or the symbolism. Don’t want to ruin it for anyone who hasn’t seen the show, so being vague. Also, I don’t understand the skeleton with the pearls costume. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated too. Many thanks I’m not sure there is an explanation for that costume. The entire production is style over substance so the designer probably just thought it would look cool without it actually having any relevance.
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Post by partytentdown on Dec 15, 2022 9:46:42 GMT
Can someone please DM me and let me know about the ending of the show. I saw the show last week and just don’t understand the ending and as much as I love the production, the ending left me cold and I think it’s because I don’t really understand what was the intent of the Director or the symbolism. Don’t want to ruin it for anyone who hasn’t seen the show, so being vague. Also, I don’t understand the skeleton with the pearls costume. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated too. Many thanks I’m not sure there is an explanation for that costume. The entire production is style over substance so the designer probably just thought it would look cool without it actually having any relevance. I read it as a nod to the whole 'glamour and doom' attitude of the time e.g. everyone was ignoring the impending chaos by partying their way through life until it was too late.
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Dec 15, 2022 12:46:59 GMT
I don't think it was style over substance... the ending felt like a pretty clear suggestion that the rise of fascism doesn't come from radical, costume-wearing militias but instead from the acquiescence of the middle classes: the danger of letting those in power with extreme views remain unchallenged if it means 'ordinary people' get by and profit from it. The singing of "I Don't Care Much" is key to this – as well as Sally's decision just to ignore the rise of Nazism and crack on with her opulent life.
As for the Emcee costume in Money, I expect it's a link between capitalism, fascism and conflict – Cliff is initially willing to take money from //certain parties// in order to get by - even if it eventually leads to death and conflict.
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Post by matildaswinton on Dec 15, 2022 13:52:57 GMT
A visual metaphor. Rich in wealth but not really living. Is being a slave to money really an existence? What are those who chase money willing to give up?
Disagree that this production is style over substance.
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Post by oedipus on Dec 15, 2022 14:09:30 GMT
Re: the costume for the Emcee for the Money Song. I thought it was a really striking costume--the best of the evening--and perhaps influenced by German Expressionism, particularly woodcuts? This sort of thing? The combination of death/skeleton with a trenchant social issue (pervasive capitalism) seemed really on-point to me.... !
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Post by showtoones on Dec 15, 2022 18:09:29 GMT
Can someone please remind me the costume worn in "I Don't Care Much"....I am having trouble visualizing it....
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Dec 15, 2022 18:33:38 GMT
the costume worn in "I Don't Care Much". the Emcee is wearing a beige ish suit and Sally is wearing an oversized men's suit
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Post by stuartmcd on Dec 16, 2022 8:06:42 GMT
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Post by theatrenerd on Dec 16, 2022 10:29:41 GMT
I was hoping it would still be “dropped” today, but knew it was unlikely when they took it down. Also 20th January sounds like more of a realistic date though, so hopefully it still goes ahead then!
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