West End CABARET Revival (and B’way Transfer?) - News & Discussion Thread- Page 5

[inception]

Posted: 5/13/22 at 3:21pm

Isn't Stefani Germanotta a  bit old at 36 to be believable as Sally Bowles?  Maybe Fraulein Schneider?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/13/22 at 3:25pm

Of course she’s not. Natasha Richardson was 35 when she played the role and lots of great replacements were older than that, as well. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/13/22 at 3:26pm

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 5/13/22 at 3:29pm

inception said: "Isn'tStefani Germanotta a bit old at 36 to be believable as Sally Bowles? Maybe Fraulein Schneider?"

She's a year older than Natasha Richardson was, and just two years older than Michelle Williams, Molly RIngwald, & Sienna Miller. Younger than Jane Leeves & Jennifer Jason Leigh. Not to mention that this is a wildly different interpretation of CABARET.

But you're just saying this to be a pill.

[Demitri2]

Posted: 5/13/22 at 3:48pm

This performance was posted in the other chatroom. It's the actress, Amy Lennox, who has replaced Jessie Buckley as the current Sally Bowles singing CABARET. It's a jarring performance, a bit over the top yet riveting to watch just because she gives it her all. I doubt anyone could survive giving the same performance though eight days a week.

https://youtu.be/6DVxxFRxT_8

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 5/13/22 at 5:15pm

If the “Sweeney” revival is true and this one is also, I will have to go back to NY Next Spring!

[east side story]

Posted: 5/13/22 at 5:41pm

Buckley’s absences toward the end of her run had nothing to do with the Oscar campaign trail.  Every interview I saw was recorded in her living room or her dressing room at the theatre. You could see her costumes hanging directly behind her. The only awards show she attended was the BAFTAs, which were on a Sunday when Cabaret was dark. And her upcoming album was apparently recorded a while back, and is just now being released.

She was allegedly having some vocal issues, so she cut down her performance schedule. Emily Benjamin went on anywhere from 2-4 times, weekly, for about a month or so. The UK board (not this one) was furious.

While I agree calling her A+ List is a bit of a stretch in this moment in time, the blind item is about her. I suspect her multiple recent awards show runs are the cause. 
 

In any event, I traveled to London this winter to see this production and found it to be stunning. Then entire cast delivers, and it’s a shame we’ll only get the two leads to come over most likely. (Would LOVE to be wrong about that one, but AEA). Redmayne is terrific and Buckley cements her place as one of the best newer additions to the industry.  Just incredible.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/13/22 at 5:50pm

Buckley’s absences have to be concerning to any producer fronting money for this. The West End has no “above the title” policy so if she were to do the same thing here, the production would suffer. I’m also not convinced she’s a big enough name here (is he, even?) to make this the hit it is over there. 

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 5/13/22 at 6:04pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Buckley’s absences have to be concerning to any producer fronting money for this. The West End has no “above the title” policy so if she were to do the same thing here, the production would suffer. I’m also not convinced she’s a big enough name here (is he, even?) to make this the hit it is over there."

But how many people would pay to see her? Like, if shes off, will people ask for refunds? I highly doubt about this. Redmayne is the draw, imo.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/13/22 at 6:06pm

The production would be advertised with they two of them sharing star billing so a lot of people wanting to see the stars advertised will switch their tickets if she’s not there. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/13/22 at 6:12pm

I don't think her name alone would make it a sellout. 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 5/13/22 at 8:41pm

This whole thing about Jessie missing performances can be a bit concerning but I think she could still do it. Maybe do 6 shows a week and have another actress play Sally two times a week. Kinda like when Donna Murphy played once a week for Bette Midler in Hello Dolly. 

Also, do we think they will use Yondr pouches if/when this comes over? I know in London, they just give you a sticker to put over your phone camera, but people still take pics inside the theatre. I feel Yondr might play a part in a potential transfer of this show.

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 5/14/22 at 1:01am

I can just see the show cards now ...  

"A role she was born to play" - The Wehawken Journal

"Finally!  A HAPPY role for him. A blast!" - The Darien Independent

"BEN PLATT is a revelation as the emcee and BEANIE FELDSTEIN is ... Beanie Feldstein!" - US magazine

A M. Platt/J. Hill Production of:

CABERNET.

 

[inception]

Posted: 5/14/22 at 1:53am

Demitri2 said: "This performance was posted in the other chatroom. It's the actress, Amy Lennox, who has replaced Jessie Buckley as the current Sally Bowles singing CABARET. It's a jarring performance, a bit over the top yet riveting to watch just because she gives it her all. I doubt anyone could survive giving the same performance though eight days a week.

https://youtu.be/6DVxxFRxT_8"

I really don't like this performance/vision of the character.   

 

[Dolly80]

Posted: 5/14/22 at 2:44am

This is a horrible production. All style over content and not a patch on Sam Mendes one. And good luck if Jessie Buckley does it- she missed so many performances it was embarrassing.

[OhHiii]

Posted: 5/14/22 at 7:13am

A bit absurd to think of Jessie Buckley as an A+ star here in the States. No where close. Guarantee a random layperson on the street wouldn’t have a clue who she was, even WITH a photo. The only financial reason to bring in another revival of Cabaret within a decade of the last would be with a sure bet, money making marquee name. Especially when considering the overhaul of the chosen theatre this production requires. Redmayne might have been at that level in the years of The Danish Girl and Theory of Everything, but his stock is not nearly as high almost a decade on from his peak days. Being most known for a only-semi-popular Harry Potter franchise film doesn’t a ticket-selling name make, especially for an adult musical like this one.

[east side story]

Posted: 5/14/22 at 1:32pm

Saw the Mendes revival twice, original run and the return production. Always expected to be swept away because everyone told me I would be. Never happened, but it was wonderful dancing with Cumming at intermission.

The London production was an entirely different experience, one I will treasure for some time.

[lopside]

Posted: 5/14/22 at 6:17pm

east side story said: "Saw the Mendes revival twice, original run and the return production. Always expected to be swept away because everyone told me I would be. Never happened, but it was wonderful dancing with Cumming at intermission.

The London production was an entirely different experience, one I will treasure for some time."

I liked the Mendes production well enough, but it was intent on being emotionally manipulative, with the way the Emcee acted while wearing the dress and introducing Sally, to the finale.  There was such a warmth to the relationships in this production, and the Kit Kat ensemble were so much more vibrant and alive, that I felt more of a gut-punch. And that character kind of doesn't get mentioned, but the Ernst was so charming, then later insidiously so, rather than the pantomime villainy of almost every other production I've encountered. I have an acquaintance, a theatre director based in Spain, who had seen the Mendes, as well as Jérôme Savary's, Molière-winning multi-country touring production, and he described this one as "a slap that he'd gladly received", and I agreed with him. 
 

Anyhow, I'd love to see it again and hopefully they manage to bring it over, especially if they can bring the 4 Olivier winning cast members. 

 

Updated On: 5/14/22 at 06:17 PM

[east side story]

Posted: 5/14/22 at 7:38pm

So glad you mentioned Ernst in the London production, played by Stewart Clarke.  Having seen a few productions, I truly forgot about his big reveal at the end of Act I until it happened because he was everything you described. Charming, handsome, but that line reading about Herr Schultz: “He is NOT a German” made me shiver.

[Georgeanddot2]

Posted: 5/14/22 at 10:40pm

Jessie is such a tremendous performer.  I hope she transfers.

I actually think Saoirse Ronan would be wonderful in this interpretation of Sally.

[Huss417]

Posted: 6/14/22 at 6:21pm

I didn't want to start a new thread but have a question for those who have seen the show in London.

I am going to surprise friends with tickets and looking for where to sit and or not sit for this production.

Thanks for any help, :)

[baltimorris]

Posted: 6/14/22 at 6:34pm

Sho-Tunes-R-Us said: "I can just see the show cards now ...

"A role she was born to play" - The Wehawken Journal

"Finally! A HAPPY role for him. A blast!" - The Darien Independent

"BEN PLATT is a revelation as the emcee and BEANIE FELDSTEIN is ... Beanie Feldstein!" - US magazine

A M. Platt/J. Hill Production of:

CABERNET.

"

Do NOT give them any ideas

[east side story]

Posted: 6/14/22 at 6:42pm

Huss417 said: "I didn't want to start a new thread but have a question for those who have seen the show in London.

I am going to surprise friends with tickets and looking for where to sit and or not sit for this production.

Thanks for any help, :)"

Absolutely get tickets on the side of the venue that includes the Upper Circle. A lot of this production is played to that side of the Kit Kat Club. It’s a cozy theatre, so any seat could be ideal depending on your price point.

[Huss417]

Posted: 6/14/22 at 6:56pm

east side story said: "Huss417 said: "I didn't want to start a new thread but have a question for those who have seen the show in London.

I am going to surprise friends with tickets and looking for where to sit and or not sit for this production.

Thanks for any help, :)"

Absolutely get tickets on the side of the venue that includes the Upper Circle. A lot of this production is played to that side of the Kit Kat Club. It’s a cozy theatre, so any seat could be ideal depending on your price point."

Thanks for the info. I very seldom ever say this but I am not concerned about the price as I want it to be a special day for friends.

[yyys]

Posted: 6/14/22 at 7:52pm

Look at this site with reviews from people...

https://seatplan.com/london/playhouse-theatre/seating-plan/

Reviewer from Dress Circle G6 said:  

"Great view from dress circle, I have sat in all 3 levels and this is the best view."

 

 

 

 

Huss417 said: "I didn't want to start a new thread but have a question for those who have seen the show in London.

I am going to surprise friends with tickets and looking for where to sit and or not sit for this production.

Thanks for any help, :)"