Comments on: Review- Cabaret

By: Steph

Steph — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:20:01 +0000

Really sorry to triple post on here but I wish I could have had the option to preview my comment before posting. My first line should have started ‘I cannot agree with…’. Ignore the word ‘more’. Again, sorry.

By: Steph

Steph — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:15:59 +0000

Apologies, my first line should have read I CANNOT agree more. I can’t amend my original post.

By: Steph

Steph — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:15:20 +0000

I cannot agree more with those comments above that are so degrading of the show. I personally loved it and would happily have gone again but it was sold out in my town, I went to the matinee today and tonight’s show was the last.
Unless you are an experienced drama critique I don’t know how you can say what a performance was like on a professional level.
A performance is as good as the person watching it felt it was. If people didn’t like it they would have walked out and certainly wouldn’t given all the applause that the show got when I was there today. Yes there was a lot of sexual reference in the show, far more ‘in your face’ than in the film where it is (for the most part anyway) implied. But this was done with a lot of humour and I found it most entertaining.
If anyone is offended by the content then I say ‘what were you doing going to see it in the first place’? The film itself tells a story of a Germany where sexual depravity, prostitution, titilating dancing and raunchy cabaret shows are common in a pre WWII Germany. So after watching the film with Liza Minelli last night before I went today I was fully aware of what I would be seeing. I had no pre-conceptions of ‘how well’ I ‘thought’ the cast should have done it and I was not at all disappointed.
You can’t please all the people all the time I am afraid. And if it came to my home town again I would certainly see this show!

By: maryvan

maryvan — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:51:37 +0000

Two nites ago in twinkly New Brighton(hardly noted for theatrical endeavours!)The Floral Pavillion hosted & enhanced the intimate nite club atmosphere of this memorable production.An energetic company compensated for the sadly worn Wayne Sleep,whose performance leaned heavily towards widow twankyesque panto;completely missing the cruel, sadistic elements of an M.C who characterises cold,germanic indifference.Whilst clearly a “trouper ” of the old school,his shambling leaden stage presence,decried the adage that”the show must go on”and left me wondering if he was actually in need of medical intervention?
Despite chequered casting in other roles;Zimmerman & Logan as Schneider & Schulz, stole the show for me,with understated performances and singing laced with genuinely moving pathos,their efforts added essential counterpoint.
Leading lady Siobahn also impressed,demonstrating the potential her vocal quality indicates for her long term career.
Very enjoyable.

By: Nick Hazlewood

Nick Hazlewood — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:14:18 +0000

Saw the show last night at Carlisle, stop being so harsh, it was very well produced especially when you consider IT IS touring, the cast were amazing and the “small” number made for some excellent performances and the way the lighting and constumes were used for effect lead to a truly captivating yet disturbing peformance. The pace was excellent at the Carlisle show although the band need to listen to the singers a little more and put a little more emotion in but that is my very personal opinion and technically they were excellent. Wayne Sleep was extremly professional and did not allow himself to “steel the show” either. A really well thought out and well executed production.

By: David Wheeler

David Wheeler — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:07:11 +0000

There were some touching scenes with the elderly Jewish couple, but I felt Wayne Sleep was poor and his bitchy, camp and out of character ad libs were totally unecessary, as was the obvious reference to swine flu.

I disliked the way the original show had been changed, so that things hinted at were now delivered with a sledgehammer, e.g. Cliff’s sexuality, and Sally’s minder, ‘Max’ had become the MC. The gorilla the MC dances with in ‘If you could see her through my eyes’ was now a pig costume he wore on his back. I am not against change, but what was so wrong with the original show that it needed such radical and heavy-handed changes?

Samantha Barks did well, but I could imagine a top class ‘amateur’ doing as well.

I liked some of the scenes played out within the set’s ‘frames’, such as the prostitute Fraulein Kost being inconsolable when her frumpish landlady finds a man who wants to share her life permanently.

A disappointment on balance, and I’m bemused why this rather bizarre production was so acclaimed in London.

By: Joyce

Joyce — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 23:44:26 +0000

Just got back from seeing Cabaret at the Edinburgh Playhouse. Mixed emotions really. I thought Wayne Sleep was fantastic as the emcee, and there is no doubt that Samantha Barks has a voice, but I do think she is too young and inexperienced to play such a big role as Sally Bowles. I was also a little disappointed at the choreography for Mein Heir and the Money Song…maybe I was expecting too much having seen the movie. I know Bob Fosse didn’t do the original choreography for the stage show, but somehow I thought hats and chairs would be used in Mein Heir. The Dont Tell Mamma song was well danced and sung. On the whole it was a good night’s entertainment, but I wouldn’t rush out and buy another ticket like I did for Evita and Sunset Boulevard.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:14:46 +0000

Saw the show in Douglas and was absolutely shocked by how bad Wayne Sleep was. Sam Barks held it together through force of her voice and personality but was clearly miscast in the role. I should have known better than expect to enjoy a musical with a past-it dancer in the main impressario role. Couldn’t understand a word of his songs and he seemed to be marking it. Wonderful effort from the energetic, athletic and virtually elastic dance chorus but where was the va-va-voom? Maybe it’s a tour that’s gone on too long.

By: Aj

Aj — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:09:44 +0000

I thought it was pretty rubbish really! Wayne Sleep was creepy and limping around the stage - the funniest bit of the show was when he couldnt do a dancing scene so had someone else do it, but was made into a joke, that was quite funny. Some of the first half, was like an old peep show sort of thing, some of it was just a bit pointless. One woman took her bra off and walked across the stage, but didnt look like she was enjoying it or even like it was part of the show- was a bit odd really. The whole Nazi thing was just not very convincing just a stroppy man going round with an arm band on. Could have been done so much better.

However Samantha Barks was suprisingly good for a newcomer, thought she did a really good job.

I cant believe the original won so many awards, I thought the show was pretty bad as did many people I overheard saying as we were leaving the theatre. Was gutted as was really looking forwards to a good show, maybe next time!

By: jane callow

jane callow — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:26:29 +0000

We went to see Cabaret in Birmingham and Nottingham, may I just say what an amazing show it was. Wayne Sleep is just amazing as the Mc and Samantha Barks was just brilliant. Samantha and Wayne just made the show, everybody was raving about the show and I have seen this show in London and this show was so much better. I think Rufus Norris is a genius, his casting was spot on. The theatre was packed and the atmosphere was just electric. If you get a chance go and see it. If you have any reservations, look on the Birmingham Rep website and you will see the amount of people who have put comment on about this wonderful show.