Review of Cabaret at the Palace Theatre Manchester

Cabaret has opened at the Palace Theatre Manchester and we were invited along to check it out. Here is what we thought. 

Running until Saturday 29th February 2020, Cabaret has now opened at Palace Theatre Manchester and we were kindly invited along to their press night for the purpose of an honest review. We sent along our reviewer Gemma and her mum to check it out and here is what they thought. 

Review of Cabaret at the Palace Theatre Manchester

Having only ever seen the more iconic scenes from Cabaret the film and never all the way through, I was unsure what to expect from the musical and have to say I was blown away. 

Set around the Kit Kat Klub, Berlin in 1931, Cabaret follows Cliff Bradshaw (Charles Hagerty) an aspiring novelist as he arrives in Germany for new inspiration. He soon finds it at the Kit Kat Klub in the mysterious English cabaret performer Sally Bowles (Karly Lily Hayworth). However he quickly discovers life in Berlin is not as simple as he may have hoped. 

As soon as the opening number began we were given a taste of what was to come. From the introduction to the sexually free Kit Kat Club, to the the full frontal male nudity in the following scene it quickly became clear that Cabaret would not be for the faint hearted.

John Partridge plays the lead role of Emcee the shows narrator and the Kit Kat Klub host amd instantly had the audience in stiches. From with his crude gestures to the audience and songs such as the Two Ladies in the first half the show his comedy timing was perfect throughout. It was however in the second half that we saw the full depth of his confidence as the effect of the Nazi take over of Germany take it’s toll. 

Kara Lily Hayworth plays the iconic roll of Sally Bowles certainly made the character her own. Proving that she can both sing and dance with her rendition of “Cabaret” favourite number of the evening. 

Anita Harris as Fraulein Schneider and James Patterson, as her Jewish love interest Herr Schultz, brought a romantic contrast to the other sexually liberal relationships in the show. Both provided moving performances as their story of love takes a downward turn due to the political climate.  

Cabaret fans will not be disappointed with well known numbers of “Cabaret”, “The Money Song” and “Mein Herr” taking pride of place along with breathtaking costumes and setsZ

It is however, the final scenes of the show that audiences won’t easily forget. As the rise of the Nazi Party starts to impact on the characters and the harsh reality of the fate of the Jewish population is portrayed in a very emotional end scene. Although the cast received a well deserved standing ovation, there was unsurprisingly an overlay of a darker somber mood. 

Cabaret will take you on a roller coaster of emotions and is certainly one not to be missed. 

Cabaret is playing at the Palace Theatre Manchester until 29th February. For more information and to purchase tickets see here. 

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