Cabaret at The Kit Kat Club

The Playhouse Theatre

Reeve Carney and Eva Noblezada bring a fresh look to the roles of Emcee and Sally; believe me, they understood the assignment. Incredible immersive theatre that must be experienced by all.

Cabaret is one of the best musicals ever written, and its power has not flickered. The Kit Kat Club is a unique and exquisite theatre experience that is a must. If you don't have it on your bucket list, add it now. It's the best time to see it, as Reeve Carney as Emcee and Eva Noblezada as Sally Bowles is a performance that cannot be missed. The new ensemble members are also refreshing and bring a heap of value to the production. It's understandable how this show has been at the Playhouse theatre since 2021, and long may it continue! It's an exclusive experience; you can't take photos and videos once you enter the building. You are entering the real-life Kit Kat club, and you must turn up as soon as the theatre opens so you can enjoy the experience to its fullest extent. It's not an uplifting show, but it is important and thought-provoking. You will indeed have a lot of fun until it gets serious.

If you don't know the story of Cabaret and haven't seen the famous 1972 film starring Liza Minnelli, which I am not proud to admit that I have not yet seen. The story follows Clifford Bradshaw as he enters Berlin and meets a welcoming Ernst Ludwig, who helps Cliff find a place to stay, introduces him to the Kit Kat club and offers him money to do a 'simple task'. The Kit Kat club is full of beautiful people who entertain the visitors. Cliff is intrigued by one of the girls at the club, Sally Bowles, and from that moment, everything is about to change. The show takes you on a dark journey; it's all about the rise of the Nazis and fascism in Germany in the early 1930s. It is an emotional journey, and as the show goes on, it gets increasingly discomforting. The Emcee is a symbol of the change and controls where the story goes, so taking on this character is a huge job.

Reeve Carney portrays the darkness of the Emcee well; he lures the audience in with his vibrance and then slowly starts to uncover the dark meaning of his role. He makes his Emcee evil, clever and unhinged, which is the perfect recipe for the role. As soon as he finishes Willkommen, you know he is made for this part and has worked hard on putting his stamp on the role. He was interesting, alluring, and scary, and it was a perfect performance. There is not one cast member who doesn't shine; everyone brings something different to the table, and the new ensemble additions are just as fantastic as the principals. For instance, Tom Scanlon plays Hans, and the energy he has, stage presence and incredible dance ability is mesmerising. He has so much character! Everyone is so alluring and takes you on this heartbreaking journey. Sally Bowles, played by Eva Noblezada, was indeed beautifully insane. She brilliantly shows Sally's vulnerability and wrecking ball attitude. The main event of her performance is her adaptation of the song 'Cabaret'; it's the grand finale, and she clearly shows Sally's downfall and instability.

Keeping the exclusivity of this experience is imperative, and I won't go into too much of what the experience looks like. I wouldn't want to take the surprise away from you. Having a stage in the round keeps every inch of the audience drawn to the performance, and the intricate details of the set and lighting clearly show the sinister nature. Design elements are all truly sublime, the lighting designed by Isabella Byrd, sound by Nick Lidster and scenic and costume design by Tom Scutt work in perfect tandem to create this unreal experience. Everything about the experience is of a high standard and worth every penny.

This show has maintained its allure and quality by bringing in new adaptations of the characters by the actors. Every time there is a change of cast, you want to return to the Kit Kat Club to see what new personalities and interpretations they bring to the show. It's such an incredible show that brings you to your knees. It is the best of the best. Great work to the new actors and actresses who have helped preserve this exclusive, unique and incredible experience. Every time I see this show, it is a real treat. I always want to go again straight after and introduce more and more people to the experience. Don't get me wrong, the prices can be high for this show, but it is worth it, because the theatre starts right from when you enter the building, and you must not miss a second of it! You don't get this level of exclusivity, and you can't even film the curtain calls; it's a couple of hours where there are no distractions, full attention on the stage.

Taken by: Craig Sugden @craig.sugden.photography