Cabaret - Playhouse Theatre

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.

Gah. Like you, I hope the release is still this week.

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 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.

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.... ! 

the Emcee is wearing a beige ish suit and Sally is wearing an oversized men's suit

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!

They sent about one of the cds to every hmv in the country.

Wait what?!!

It was delayed until January 20th/January 23rd.

I just gave it a listen. Being a live recording and all, it really captures the show as it is on stage, so whether you will like it or not depends on what you made of the show at the Kit Kat Club. What falls flat on stage (eg the opening number) falls flat in the recording too, and what is overwrought and overdone in the show (eg the title song) comes across as overwrought and overdone in the CD as well. At the same time, it also captures the beautiful orchestrations and some lovely performances, like Jessie Buckley's Maybe This Time. The highlight of the album, just like in the show, are Liza Sadovy's Fraulein Schneider and Elliot Levey's Herr Schultz: "It Couldn't Please Me More", "Married" and "What Would You Do?" are great and easily the best tracks in the cast recording. Anna-Jane Casey is fab and the reprise of Tomorrow Belongs to Me is as chilling as it is in the theatre.