Eddie Izzard vs Natalie Portman for Cabaret Sally???

While the dates for Rufus Norris’ revival of Kander and Ebb’s Cabaret have been announced, there’s still nothing official about casting – not that that’s stopped some delicious rumours circulating (See News, 13 Jun 2006). The most recent to be picked up in the tabloid press is that cross-dressing comedian Eddie Izzard is in talks to play the lead of sultry Kit Kat Klub singer Sally Bowles. Izzard is no stranger to the West End, having impressed in A Day in the Death of Joe Egg and Lenny amongst other plays, but this would be his first musical – not to mention, his first female – role. Frankly, however much he waxes, we think we’d rather see Izzard in the role as the nightclub’s camp emcee. Another name in the frame for Sally – and hopefully, a far more likely one - is screen star Natalie Portman, whose Hollywood credits include Star Wars, Closer and V for Vendetta. Previous Sallys have included Judi Dench (in the original West End production), Natasha Richardson (who won a Tony for her turn in Sam Mendes’ recent New York revival) and Liza Minnelli (in the 1972 Oscar-winning film). Other actresses mentioned in connection with the new staging have included Dr Who’s Billie Piper, Denise Van Outen and Martine McCutcheon for Sally and Sheila Hancock for the part of her hard-bitten landlady Fraulein Schneider. The production opens on 10 October 2006 (previews from 22 September) at the West End’s Lyric Theatre.

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