Cabaret - Playhouse Theatre

Thanks couldileaveyou much appreciated!

When you see it written down, you realise just how top heavy the show is now. It was originally a 3 act show and was more evenly balanced.

A shame 'Why Should I Wake Up' is still out. Am looking forward to Thursday!

I’ve taken my seats in the back row of the upper and wow - it’s totally transformed, tiered seating. Totally unobstructed view.

Once you escape the crowds, it is very plush. Mixed gender toilets. The upper circle seats have entrance to rows at alternate sides, so you may find a booked aisle seat isn’t actually on the aisle at all!

There is a cast board but I couldn’t take a photo as there’s a sticker over my cameras (well, only the rear ones).

We got given a drinks token, but it remains unused as there was no way I was joining the scrum! The lower levels have waitering staff.

Excited for this one anyway. And this may be the best Upper Circle view I’ve ever had at a theatre.

how enforced is the ‘no phones’ suggestion? people are beginning to upload photos to seatplan

Regarding visitors getting the free test kits: I'm an American who was visiting London for the past several months, and I had no problems getting test kits from Boots (and other pharmacies) other than when they were out of stock. Nobody ever asked me for ID, an NHS number or anything else. The first couple of times, I even said "I'm a visitor... am I eligible to get the free at-home tests?" and was simply asked "how many?".

Time for my usual selection of randomly ordered post show thoughts!

We didn't get any kind of announcement not to "spoil the secrets", but I'll keep things general regardless.

This is a very good production. It reminds me a lot of the Studio 54 production in terms of the lack of a set and table seating. The leads are all excellent and they perform to all sides of the audience.

Second row Upper Circle is an excellent clear view and you can also see the orchestra at either side of the Dress Circle level. I was in the central section but I think the view would also be decent from the sides.

For the lower level tables near the front, there are a lot of opportunities for audience interaction! But even I wasn't spared in the Upper Circle (although it was only a light touch approach up there).

This is a long show (finished at 10:20pm) and a very dark show, although not everyone in the audience seems to realise that. We got given a badge on the way out. The leads are all excellent and they've done some good work with the songs. Otherwise, it's quite a traditional Cabaret, but there's nothing wrong with that.

I didn't see anyone taking photos in the theatre itself. Although the phone sticker didn't last very long (I didn't intentionally remove it, just realised it was no longer on my phone when I was in my seat).

I changed tubes at Oxford Street and two young American ladies suddenly ran past me to surprise their friend. The friend had been to The Lion King (and didn't have the right Covid documentation, but thankfully for her the theatre let her in). The other two ladies said they had just come back from Cabaret which was "super fun" (their words). And they then proceeded to show their friend the photos they'd taken during the show!

Some shows I feel like rushing back to see again. I didn't get that feeling from Cabaret but I do have another booking for next year (and in a very similar seat). I'm sure I didn't get the £300 experience, but very happy with the £28.50 version. And I have to say again how good the theatre looks. I'm sure this will run for quite a while with different star casts, but even after that point, I hope they keep the layout as it is for future productions.

This is a top top quality production. It’s amazing how simplistic it is but the space is used amazingly well. Cast all excellent especially Eddie and Jessie. Special mention also to Anna Jane Casey who stands out in her featured role.

Eddie’s physicality and embodiment of the role is quite something, and vocally he is excellent - especially in “I don’t care much”. Jessie is a very different Sally to what I’ve seen before - a few interesting choices but for the most part it works. Her acting through song and storytelling is brilliant.

Back of upper circle - absolutely fine way to see this and a bargain when compared to seats 10x the price at the tables. You miss a tiny bit when they are singing from the side boxes. That said, I’m sure it’s an even better experience down in the stalls.

Performed “in the round” although I definitely felt we got “Cabaret” mostly performed our direction.

I’ll keep entering into that lottery! I must agree with Dr Tom - I can see this running for quite a while but I do love what they’ve done with the theatre - maybe an immersive “La Cage” can replace it in 5 years time.

Don't overthink it. Your seats will be perfect and you will have a magical night out. I promise.

The sign of a good show for me is how well I sleep after it, as my brain tries to absorb everything. I can tell you that I have had an awful nights sleep constantly waking up with thoughts and songs in my head.

I am going to follow the trend on here and not give too much away but last night was an "event"

We had a 6.15 entry time and entered via the basement. Covid checks all went smoothly and given a drinks token. Also the sticker for the phone which was more fun than anything - although I didn't see anyone in the area where I was sitting take or try to take a photo. We walked through the basement which was very atmospheric and then arrived at the main bar where we could use our tokens for a beer, schnapps or water. The prologue cast were mingling and dancing. Now the problem here was that the doors to the actual club didn't open until 6.45pm so there was nearly a 30 minute wait but the area kept getting busier and busier as more people arrived and was a bit uncomfortable. Hopefully they will iron out this issue in the next few days.

The theatre/club is amazing and they have done such a good job. We were sitting at one of the cabaret tables by the stage and, I think, probably had one of the best ones. We were in B 11/12 which was right next to the stairs to the stage and a clear view. I was worried that the chairs would be uncomfortable but they were pretty good. One leg was attached to the floor so you could swivel the chair to sit but meant that you couldn't move the chair around. I can see the point of this as otherwise you would have people moving their chairs into the aisle and would make it difficult for the cast.

We didn't book a meal but several people around us did. From what I could see it came in paper bags and I think I would have been a bit disappointed by that. Some people sitting in one of the boxes seemed to have a different meal that came in stacked tiffin containers.
We decided to splash out and ordered a bottle of champagne. You couldn't order any other drinks at the tables.

Was it worth the extra money for the table seating? I would say absolutely yes. This was a special occasion (my birthday) and it really did feel special. You are so close to the stage and in the middle of the whole immersive experience. Cast members were all around us, touching my arm as they went past and at one point Eddie Redmayne was standing about a foot in front of me just looking at me. Now that's got to be worth the ticket price alone.

Still no programme but we did get a folded poster that had the song list and cast/creative details. I asked a waiter about the programmes and he said that "they" needed to get their act together. Such a revenue missed opportunity. We also got a badge as we left which was nice.

As for the show, well it was amazing. So well done in the round and a double revolve (I love a double revolve). The whole cast were fantastic and so talented but Eddie and Jessie were on another level. I can see Olivier nominations for both of them. I don't really know how to explain this but I felt that they WERE the Emcee and Sally Bowles rather than 2 actors playing the parts, if that makes sense. The 2 stand out numbers for me were Money with Eddie and Cabaret with Jessie.
AJ Casey was also outstanding with her duel role.

That's all I am going to say about the show as I think its great no one is giving too much away so its a surprise for those due to see it.

I am feeling a bit rough this morning as I don't drink so that champagne has given me a head ache. Luckily day off today.

Lastly Mods - any chance of having a voting thingie for this show please?

Wow, all these positive reviews!!! I'm seeing Cabaret a week today - and having never seen the film/stage show...I think this will be an experience. Front stalls for me - and don't mind the late finish as Embankment tube right next door!

Gender neutral toilets; stickers for camera phones - the lunatics are well and truly in charge of the asylum.

Have a great evening anyone lucky enough to have tickets in the coming days and weeks. Enjoy!