“Cabaret” – Touring Production
Nottingham Theatre Royal.

It’s 1931, Berlin is a haven of divine decadence and debauchery and the legendary Sally Bowles is about to take stage at the infamous Kit Kat Klub, which is where all the action is in Berlin.

Author Cliff Bradshaw arrives from Pennsylvania to write, and meets Sally falling head over heels for her. He's also met Ernst Ludwig who arranges where he can stay, at Fraulein Schneider's boarding house, and also a little job on the side to keep the money rolling in.

But this Germany 1931 and danger and unrest is just around the corner......

With music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, this soundtrack is one of the best loved with the soundtrack including songs like the title track, “Cabaret”, “Wilkommen”, “Money Makes The World Go Around”, “Maybe This Time” and “Tomorrow Belongs To Me” among them.

John Partridge plays the part of the enigmatic Emcee. This is a darker Emcee than I remember and, for me, bore a bit of a comparison to Malcolm McDowall's character in "The Clockwork Orange". He is in total control and having seen John in several roles, including panto in the past, I just knew that he would be the perfect Emcee. He did not disappoint. Not only can you not take your eyes off him whenever he is on stage but his voice encapsulates you as well, especially in his ballad, "I Don't Care Much".

Kara Lily Hayworth, who was incredible in “Cilla”, is Sally Bowles, and she is incredible here as well.You could hear every single word she sang, whether it was sung quietly or belted out.

Charles Hagerty plays the new boy in die stadt,and unlike some other productions of this musical I've seen, we are left without any doubt where his passions lie!! His accent never falters in this role as well.

Anita Harris plays the role Fraulein Schneider, proving that talent never dies. Anita is living proof of this. Her voice is full of emotion still and when she sings "What Would You Do?", the hairs stood to attention.

This musical blends young talent as well as parts for more mature actors, and Herr Schultz is played by James Paterson, who has a wonderful voice for musical theatre. When he and Anita duets on "Married", it highlights the immense talent that actors of their age can bring to today's musical theatre.

I also must mention Basienka Blake as Fraulein Krost, who has a passion for young sailors. A lovely fun character role and when she sang "Tomorrow Belongs To Me" in Act Two, she also showed what a wonderful voice she has.

This is a real ensemble work, with everyone showing great energy in this sexy and sassy production. There are plenty of acrobatic moves from this ensemble as they move the sets and props around, and the choreography, by Javier De Frutos, will leave you quite breathless at times.

The set, designed by Katrina Lindsay is stunning, helped immensely by the lighting design by Tim Oliver.

A wonderful live band on stage which complemented the singers beautifully. The clarity was crystal clear; a joy to the ears.

A dark musical which will leave you quite speechless with the final scene, so much so that you could hear a pin drop on the Theatre Royal carpet.

There is full and partial nudity so may not be for everyone, but how do you show debauchery without flashing a bit of flesh? Nothing wrong with a bit of non gratuitous muckiness in my eyes! After all, it was done in the best possible taste.

“Cabaret” is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 14 September.