Scarlett Mullender
Willkommen! London’s esteemed theatrical phenomenon Cabaret is adding a trio of acting moguls to its brand new 2023 run.
Cast Announcements
Aimee Lou Wood, best known for her role as popular starlet Aimee Gibbs in Netflix’s Sex Education, will be gracing the stage as the musical’s much-loved principal performer, Sally Bowles, at the London Playhouse Theatre from the 13th February.
“I’m unbelievably excited and having the greatest time in rehearsals”
On receiving the opportunity to tantalise audiences with the highly sought-after part, BAFTA award winning Wood commented: “I’ve wanted to be Sally Bowles since I was around 10 so this is really special. I’m unbelievably excited and having the greatest time in rehearsals.”
Joining her will be John McCrea, who was nominated for an Olivier following his portrayal of social misfit turned drag superstar Jamie New in 2018’s original West End cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. He will be mesmerising the masses as the dazzling ‘Emcee’.
Completing the star-studded trio is Nathan Ives-Moiba, who will be playing struggling American writer Cliff Bradshaw. His acting credits include the role of Raymond Gann in the 2020 miniseries Roadkill, and Dean Chandler in BBC 2’s 2014 picture Salting the Battlefield.
Those additionally joining the camaraderie of Cabaret include Richard Katz as Herr Schultz, Vivien Parry as Fraulein Schneider, Michelle Bishop as Fraulein Kost and Danny Mahoney as Ernst Ludwig.
The current cast boasts the likes of It’s a Sin’s Callum Scott Howells and Orange is the New Black/The Handmaid’s Tale’s Madeline Brewer, who will both play their final performances as The Emcee and Bowles on Saturday 28thJanuary.
Ready Player One‘s Sid Sagar will grace the stage as Cliff Bradshaw for the final time on Saturday 11th February.
Musical’s History
“luxuriously outrageous musical”
The luxuriously outrageous musical first debuted on Broadway in 1966 at the Broadhurst Theatre, dancing onto London soil two years later. It follows the delightful antics of those operating within the animated ball of fire that is Berlin’s Kit Kat Club. Celebrating all things representative of the entrancing yet tumultuous New Age Jazz era circa 1929-30, the club allows the chance meeting of US author Cliff Bradshaw with English cabaret singer Sally Bowles.
However, the looming threat of Nazism encases the performers at the club, with post-World War One tensions posing a substantial risk towards their lifestyles.
Film Adaption
The musical gained significant traction via the 1972 hit film of the same title, which infamously starred Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey as Bowles and Emcee. Both actors would go on to win Oscars for their parts in the feature, with the film snagging an additional six Academy Awards, totalling eight wins out of the 10 nominations received by the film during the 1973 ceremony.
“holds the record for the most Oscars won by a title that did not also win ‘Best Picture'”
The film currently holds the record for the most Oscars won by a title that did not also win ‘Best Picture’.
Although Cabaret is typically set in the tense realm of Weimar Germany, this contemporary revival of the musical sees performers operating in a more immersive world, celebrating a journey towards the end of that disparaging time.
Tickets can be purchased here , with the Playhouse Theatre currently showing dates up until Saturday 16th December 2023.
Featured image courtesy of Kyle Head via Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes have been made to this image.
