Cabaret Reviews

Maz from London, England

SKIP IT, JUST WATCH THE FILM

Clever production at times, but the lead actors were sooo hammy and Sally Bowles had no voice, and was just, well, annoying. When she butchered the title number, I was cringing. The EmCee tried hard but tended to be a one trick pony. I got cheap tickets, would never have paid full price for this. It was massively hyped up, and did not at all meet expectations. Skip this and watch the absolutely brilliant film instead.

from London, England

DISAPPOINTING

I was so looking forward to seeing this production, and I actually did really enjoy parts. however, for the cost of the tickets, I just think it lacks any great spectacle. the wardrobe was sorely lacking, there wasn't a prop to be seen and the lack of choreography on numbers that for me should have been show stoppers, ie life is a cabaret, performed in an ill fitting man's suit... what were they thinking?.. this is supposed to be burlesque... a bit of a let down, 6 out of 10, must try harder

Disappointed of from London, England

VERY POOR VALUE FOR MONEY

For £150 - v poor value for money. Nobody had a clue about the "with food" ticket we'd purchased. One of the staff even said that it was an add-on that we hadn't purchased! Hardly any staff knew where to direct us for the 'food' aspect of the experience. Meantime we were crammed in narrow corridors for a pre-show "experience" with nobody knowing what was going on. People were confused - the people behind said they were "following" us, but we had no more of a clue than them! Thank goodness we eventually found someone who understood we'd paid an extortionate £150 for the 'with food package' and directed us to the right place - 3 floors up from our seats! By then we were stressed. The food came in a TINY tiffin. Thankfully the £15 cocktails were included. The modern interpretation of the performance was OK, but I prefer a more 'traditional' approach. Our £150 seats were right at the back of the stalls, so in effect, a horizontally restricted view. Toilet Q snaked up the stairs!

Dr T Eccles from London, England

MC SAVES THE DAY AMONGST UNREMARKABLE PERFORMANCES

Very good production values in a fantastic theatre setting. We were very disappointed by the quality of the actress playing Sally Bowles, but the MC performance saved the day. The general cast quality was disappointing - the ensemble company were very bland and unremarkable. No individual member of the company brought anything additional to the performance. Maybe this was deliberate so as not to show up the lead actress. But it’s a classic timeless musical with a great history.

Suze from London, England

UNEVEN PACING BUT STILL A GREAT NIGHT OUT

Ok. First the preamble. We booked row H in the stalls right! Best side of the stage even tho it’s in the round, and great view (£120 each). I suspect the view is good from everywhere. The pre show can be enjoyed but you don’t hv to get there that early! 20 mins is enough. We are at Tom Kerridge opposite at a 6pm pre theatre menu. Absolutely wonderful place, food and service. You get a free shot on entering which is nice touch. If you don’t love small spaces beware! It really is in the basement and winding narrow corridors/stairs to navigate. We took our own water which was allowed. It’s pretty hot inside! Easy to order drinks etc at bar which you can take in with you and there are separate cubicle only loos for those concerned about sharing. Be aware the first half is long! 1h40 and you cannot leave yr seat so use that loo first! :) Shout out to the lovely member of staff who chased up our drinks order at the interval. The show is slightly uneven throughout. Dancers, absolutely terrific and high energy throughout. Jake Spears is fantastic. I liked the Sally Bowles actor, Rebecca Taylor and she can sing but didn’t quite find her vulnerable enough and she speaks v quietly at times. Not much chemistry with her lover either. There is a lot of focus on the elderly couple relationship which obviously turns the plot darker but it lagged at times and maybe too many songs.. Overall a fab show evening out but not quite as wonderful as I had expected. Still glad I went tho

Aiden Shaw from London, England

EMPERORS NEW CLOTHES

I couldn't stop checking the time which says everything. The tickets are extortionate, presumably because of Redmayne - unfortunately he doesn't deliver anything a talented non-Hollywood actor would surely do with the paycheck more, couldn't do. Buckley brought energy to her numbers but her scenes were disconnected and poorly acted. Douglas should not be allowed to walk a stage - Its a Sin has afforded him a stage career he doesn't deserve. In summary it was fine but I was bored and I was underwhelmed.

H A Smith from Scarborough UK

LACKLUSTRE, WITH EXCEPTION OF FRAU SCHNEIDER AND HERR SCHULTZ

Very disappointing. No light and shade in this version of Cabaret. The MC was played as a pantomime dame instead of the knowing if outrageous cynic who provides the constant reminder of the darkness of the Germany in which Naziism is taking hold. Only Vivian Parry as Frau Schneider and the actor who plays Herr Schultz provide the real poignancy and tension that should have characterised the entire performance. The choreography is very busy - presumably to substitute for the bare staging, but after a while it felt very repetitive and not interesting, despite the best efforts of the dancers. The main characters especially the Sally Bowles character were not given much to play with in the direction and writing - Sally just comes over as a bit silly. The key numbers including Tomorrow Belongs to Me and Money Money Money we’re just lost in the lack of pacing of the production. The play was staged as almost theatre in the round but the director didn’t know how to do this effectively do the company was not including all of the audience all of the time (see Ayckbourn for example who knows how to do this properly). All in all not worth paying for even if much cheaper than it was. Certainly not worth paying for a night in central london involving hotel and travel.

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