( Pic by Val Adamson: Lisa Bobbert as Sally Bowles)
The performing arts industry loudly endorsed its own last night with major applause for KickstArt’s presentation of Kander and Ebb’s Cabaret, currently running at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre.
While performing for the critics is daunting enough for any artiste, it’s the members of the industry itself – other actors, directors, choreographers, producers, etc who make up a first night audience - that often poses the acid test. While all watch from a supportive viewpoint, there is invariably the underlying question: “could this have been performed/directed/choreographed more effectively?”
Judging by the audience response, KickstArt got thundering and resounding approval from colleagues and friends for a show that was filled with exhilarating and memorable moments.
Director Steven Stead deserves every accolade for this well-presented production of a tricky musical. Tricky in the sense that while the music has universal popularity with individual numbers performed by stars far and wide since the show’s creation, the storyline deals with a painful and ugly period of history which must never be forgotten. This Cabaret keeps the edginess of the Nazi threat and the fear it engendered. Greg King’s set, seen to good advantage with Tina le Roux’s lighting design, portrays the seediness of a rundown nightclub where there are dark shadows, ghostly whiffs of smoke and eyes that are always watching.
Cabaret is set in Berlin’s seedy Kit Kat Klub in 1931,and revolves around a faded cabaret performer Sally Bowles (made famous by Liza Minnelli in the 1972 movie) and her relationship with young American writer Cliff Bradshaw. Playing a major role in the mix is the sinister Master of Ceremonies, Emcee.
The cast is rock-solid and every single performer is at his or her best. Neil Stuart-Harris’s costumes correctly portray the times, Janine Bennewith’s choreography is appropriately provocative and Megan Levy’s sound design maintains a good balance. Musical direction is by Evan Roberts and Justin Southey and the band, led by Roberts is excellent, one of the finest ensembles I’ve heard in musical theatre for a while.
Heading the cast are Lisa Bobbert as Bowles, Sascha Halbhuber making his South African debut as the irrepressible Emcee and Bryan Hiles as the hapless Bradshaw. Stand-out performances from all three but it was Bobbert who raised the roof with Sally Bowles’ desperate rendition of Cabaret and her earlier Maybe This Time.
The surprise of the evening is that audiences at last get to see Charon Williams-Ros in full voice – and what a voice! The mentor and trainer of numerous musical theatre performers, it was great to see her own personal skill in action and her scenes with Peter Court, who is a charming philanthropic Herr Schultz, were a delight.
Cabaret runs until August 28 at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, with performances Tuesday to Saturday at 19h30 (Sunday at 18h00) with extra shows on Saturday at 14h30. Tickets R130 Tuesday to Thursday and the Saturday matinee. R150 for evening performances Friday to Book at Computicket. Don’t miss it! – Caroline Smart
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