Visit cabaret is the musical revival of the West End and can be found at the Kit Kat Club London.
Today, I'm taking you to the heart of London to discover burlesque.
London Cabaret: article summary
London Cabaret: a brief history
Between 1929 and 1933, Anglo-American novelist, playwright and screenwriter Christopher Isherwood lived intermittently in Berlin.
Taking advantage of the city's jazz cabarets, Isherwood's escapades took place at a time when fascism was gaining ground in Germany.
His experiences inspired six interwoven stories published in 1939 by Goodbye To Berlin. They focus on Sally Bowles, a character drawn from her close circle.
A work that gains in popularity over time
Goodbye To Berlin was so well received in Britain that in 1951 Sally Bowles' story was adapted for Broadway by John Van Druten.
He was transferred to London three years later and subsequently became a clumsy film that cautiously tackled the themes of sex and abortion.
By 1966, they had collectively developed a concept that broke with Broadway conventions.
Reviews were initially mixed, but audiences were electrified. The first Broadway production ran for over a thousand performances. with English starlet Jill Haworth and teenager Liza Minnelli as Sally.
A work that is rapidly returning to London
When the production moved to London in 1968, Judi Dench took on the role. Fast-forward to the present day and having garnered 7 of its 11 nominations in 2022, the work makes a truly triumphant comeback.
London Cabaret: welcome to the Kit Kat Club
The Playhouse Theatre, just a few steps from Embankment subway stationThe Kit Kat Club has been masterfully transformed into an intimate, seductive and secret Berlin-style club.
From the view of the Thames and the London EyeYou enter a labyrinth of dark, red-lit corridors and are transported back to the cabaret era of the Weimar Republic.
Ticket holders are encouraged to arrive early to allow time to explore every nook and cranny of the club.
The Prologue artists, nine professional musicians and dancers, roam the building and bars as the public arrive.
In The Gold Bar, artist Dominic Myatt has created murals that nod to the classical paintings that adorn the walls and ceilings of London's theaters.
Scene after scene, act after act
After the hard-hitting scenes at the end of Act I, the interval offers slight relief as the audience heads for the bars and the performers from the Prologue reappear, interacting with the patrons.
Then it's time to settle in for act two, and watch out, emotions continue to run high.
As the Nazi party continues to strengthen and Berlin's partygoers become increasingly aware of political events, the characters have to make some tough decisions.
Knowing what still lies ahead for Berlin, Europe and the rest of the world, Herr Schultz and Fraulein Schneider's dilemma is just as saddening.
The humor and farce of Act One's cabaret are long gone, but the show's power and magnetism remain.
London Cabaret: total immersion
When you enter the club, you'll be asked to put a cover over your camera. You can't take photos on site.
I think it's one of the best things a theater can do these days. This minor disconnect for total immersion.
Of course, the theater has been completely remodeled as a club from the Weimar Republic era.
When you're there, you'll experience the Cabaret.
How to get to the cabaret?
The easiest way to get there is by public transport. The nearest stations are :
- Charing Cross
- Embankment
An evening at the cabaret in the heart of London is a moment that's hard to forget. During your burlesque evening, you'll meet some amazing characters and discover a touching and exciting story.
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