Cabaret: DONMAR vs. STUDIO 54

[maybethistime]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 6:16pm

I've heard/read that the DONMAR WAREHOUSE production of CABARET was staged by Mendes and is the same staging and idea that moved to Broadway & STUDIO 54 a little while later. Is the true? Are there any differences? I know Alsn Cumming was in both, which is a plus. Has anyone seen the BBC video-recording of the London production?
Updated On: 4/26/05 at 06:16 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 6:22pm

I'm pretty sure it was indeed similar, though not an exact transfer. The London video, I hear, has some significant differences from the Studio 54 production, though I haven't seen it myself.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 7:38pm

in the cabaret book Alan's diary entries make a few references to a lot of changes being made to the book. just things to tighten it up I assume as far as any additional songs or things like that I really don't know but I'm pretty sure the changes related to the book work...

[maybethistime]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 7:53pm

Thanks! **runs and looks at Diary in Cabaret book**

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 7:56pm

I was shocked when I heard Alan Lost the Olivier that year. Well, the winner was Alun Armstrong (for Sweeney Todd) so I guess thats ok, but wow.

[RYANWOODS]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 8:00pm

Cant wait for the new revival of the show in the West End. Opens late 05!

Slated for The Phoenix Theatre (replaces Blood Bros)

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 8:01pm

theres a 'cabaret' book?! OOH! TELL!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 8:05pm

yes and it's worth every penny!

[maybethistime]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 8:12pm

After I saw the show I had to look at it almost everyday to stay alive. Now I look at it every so often and reminisce. What an amazing show.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 8:14pm

i never saw it... but i worship the recording... :-P lolz. i think they should make a Pacific Overtures book...

[maybethistime]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 8:44pm

They did make a P.O. book for the original-- I have it! It isn't as nice as the Cabaret book - with less photos and extra info/backstage pics/etc, but it has the opening night cast & crew, synopsis, cast of characters, song/scene list and complete script/libretto as well as a few b/w pics. It's been out of print for quite a while now- I'd guess at least 20 years - but well worth tracking down if you like the show

**scans pics**





Updated On: 4/26/05 at 08:44 PM

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 8:47pm

It's funny. I have the London video and Sally Bowles (forget her name) got tons more laughs than Alan. I don't know - I didn't "care much" for her.

There are some similarities, however. Also, the actual adlibs during Willkommen were not there...really.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 8:48pm

I just want to say that I adore my Cabaret book! Over the years, I have aquired the entire revival cast's signatures. All except for Alan Cumming. But soon...very soon....

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 9:03pm

In the Donmar production, did Sally have the nervous breakdown during the "Life is a Cabaret" song? I think the concept of her having the nervous breakdown started in the UK, but I'm not sure if it started with Donmar or somewhere else.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 9:04pm

I don't remember. I haven't watched it. But I imagine so - since it didn't happen in the movie - and well, the revival...?

[insomniak]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 9:17pm

Where can one find this tape of the London version?

I love the book, but I wish there were better photos of the dance numbers and SOMETHING of I Don't Care Much, and I would kill for a picture of the tale end. Stunning show.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 9:21pm

Yeah, I wish there were pics of the end.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 4/26/05 at 10:01pm

i have the new script, with lotsa pictures! lol! where do u get all ur theater books MTT?

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 6:39am

Jane Horrocks was Sally in London. Apparently, she and Kander/Ebb did not have the greatest relationship. I saw the production and thought she was quite good.

[hecate]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 8:21am

I just found a DVD of the 1993 production on ebay. Alan Cumming and Jane Horrocks. Going to cost me an arm and leg but I also found the 1999 Cabaret book in mint condition for a song. So alls well that ends well.

[exedore]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 9:03am

Going off of the ITV video (there's ads from the satellite broadcast on my copy), the most noticeable difference (besides casting) between the two is that Two Ladies is still sung by two females with Alan, and a lot of the stage antics are tamer. I'm not sure if this was a case of London theatre being reserved (doubtful) or concession for TV (also doubtful) or something else, but it still struck me as odd when I picked up the NBCR and Bobby was on the track.

Also, the TV broadcast was missing "Money", which was probably cut for time (including commercials it's two hours exactly).