Photos

1st Night Photos: Major Turnout at Cabaret Opening

Editorial Staff
London's West End

Kander and Ebb’s Cabaret returned to the West End last night (10 October 2006, previews from 22 September) at Shaftesbury Avenue’s Lyric Theatre, where the first night audience included John and Norma Major, Michael Parkinson and Cilla Black as well as John Kander himself and the musical’s book writer John Masteroff (See News, 13 Jun 2006).

Anna Maxwell Martin (His Dark Materials, The Coast of Utopia, Three Sisters) makes her musical debut playing sultry Kit Kat Klub singer Sally Bowles in the production, directed by Rufus Norris (Festen, Market Boy), also making his musical debut. Maxwell Martin is joined by James Dreyfus as the Emcee, Sheila Hancock as Fraulein Schneider and Broadway’s Michael Hayden as Cliff, a part he previously played in 1999 in Sam Mendes’ staging (first seen at the Donmar Warehouse) at New York’s Studio 54. The cast also features Geoffrey Hutchings, Harriet Thorpe and Andrew Maud.


TO SCROLL THROUGH ALL OF THE CABARET 1st NIGHT PHOTOS,
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Based on the stories of Christopher Isherwood and the play by John Van Druten, Cabaret turns Weimar Berlin into a dark and sexually charged haven of decadence, its morally ambiguous inhabitants determined to keep up appearances as the real world – outside the sanctuary of the cabaret – prepares for the chaos of war. The musical premiered on Broadway on 1966 and in 1972 was made into an Oscar-winning film starring Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles.

For 1st Night Photos, our Whatsonstage.com photographer was on hand at the theatre for arrivals and the curtain call and at the Langham hotel for the post-show party. Other first night guests included Maureen Lipman, Anthony Andrews, Eve Pollard and Gloria Hunniford. Cabaret is designed by Katrina Lindsay, choreographed by Javier De Frutos and produced by Bill Kenwright.

-by Terri Paddock