"Cabaret" to be revived in West End

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 5:27pm

From a Yahoo.com article:

"London's West End will soon see a new revival of the classic Kander and Ebb musical Cabaret.

Producer Bill Kenwright will produce the production, which will be directed by hot London director Rufus Norris, Kenright told Playbill.com columnist Harry Haun. Norris' hit production of Festen is currently playing London's Lyric Theatre, and is expected on Broadway next season.

The revival comes only a decade after the musical was radically reimagined by director Sam Mendes at the Donmar Warehouse."

Now...I love Cabaret. It is, by far, my favorite musical of all time. But...it's only been ten years since the last production in the West End. Unless this is going to be radically restaged with a fresh new concept and direction...I don't see this as the appropriate time for it. I mean, I don't think it should have closed on Broadway, but it did. And I don't see this new production getting a US transfer...so I guess only time will tell.

The link to the article is below.
Come Back to the "Cabaret"

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 5:30pm

I saw the original West End revival over a decade ago, the one that the American staging was based upon. It was a perfect revival, and I don't know how subsequent revivals-like this one-will live up to it. I hope it turns out well, though.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 5:32pm

Well to be fair, I believe (though I could be wrong) that the Donmar production of CABARET played a pretty limited engagement - just a few months (their runs are much like the Roundabout's in New York), and never actually played a "West End House" so it might not be that untimely for a new production.
Updated On: 3/23/05 at 05:32 PM

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 5:34pm

I believe you are correct, Bennett. I'm 99% sure that the Donmar production was a limited engagement.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 5:36pm

Im not too keen on Studio 54 being a season house now. It doesn't give any other one of their shows to have a long run like "Cabaret" did.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 5:37pm

Somebody take me to Londonnnnnn.

[jim]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 5:47pm

Correct. Other than the Donmar production, the revival, as we knew it, at the Roundabout did not play the West End. Mendes did not want to share the spotlight with Rob Marshall who did terrific work. Anyone who has seen the TV taping of the Donmar production can verify that Marshall added so much more for the transfer.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 5:49pm

I saw that article. It shocked the hell out of me, but I'm very excited.
I have a casting suggestion!!! Michael Cerveris, please!
<---------

Updated On: 3/23/05 at 05:49 PM

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 5:56pm

foa- CABARET was supposed to be a short engagement but audiences loved it, it brought in money, and it was a great show, so it stayed.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 5:59pm

I hope that's the case for some of their upcoming shows. I am crossing my fingers for a "Streetcar" extension.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 6:11pm

Haven't seen "Streetcar" yet, but I can't wait!

[zippyjen]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 6:32pm

I personally think that this show is just amazing. But besides that, i believe that the last revival was not so long ago and that this new production should wait unless as someone said earlier, it is different. Also, i did not see the london production but the revival in new york was amazing. so yeah just my two cents. :)

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 6:36pm

I'm assuming the production would be different from the Roundabout one. I think one of the cool things about Cabaret is that it can be done several different ways. Alas, I am completely and totally in love with the Mendes version, so seeing Cabaret through the eyes of Rufus Norris might be a little weird. Still, I wouldn't miss this for the world.

[Mimi Imfurst]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 8:54pm

as far as the 54 thing- i think that if a show was as much of a smash hit as cabaret was, roundabout would keep it running there. the reason why it stayed as long as it did, is because it took in the dough for roundabout.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 8:58pm

Well, time to go to London (to see Cabaret and Frank's Cyrano)...

I wonder if it WILL come here...

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 10:50pm

*packs for London*

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 11:07pm

they should just bring back the revival and pretend like it never closed... *cries*

only put back "Why Should I Wake Up"... there. the end.

[Bwaybaby109]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 11:32pm

I love that song! That's why I prefer the original cast over the revival one.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 12:19am

no! 1999 studio CD! ugh...

[Sant]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 5:34am

Again?!

[MATheaterLover]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 9:08am

I know that the rumor is going around about Scarlett Johansson in TSOM, but I'd love to see her take on Sally Bowles!!

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 9:15am

They've been discussing the Cabaret revival in London for about two years now. I wouldn't be holding my breath quite yet and Emcee, I certainly wouldn't start packing yet.

Bill Kenwright's production tend to be horrendous, unimaginative and very cheap (not that you need a big set for Cabaret). There have been casting rumours for this production as well and let me just say, I was not a happy camper.

QM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 9:36am

When it's time, may I travel in your pocket?

Horrendous? *cries*

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 9:41am

Emcee, I would take you anywhere with me, you know that.

But I can assure you Bill Kenwright usually manages to ruin the best shows. I'm very doubtful.

QM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 9:42am

Down with him, then!