Cabaret- Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre

A warm willkommen and a burlesque bienvenue await all who enter the Kit Kat Club in search of some Cabaret. The Playhouse Theatre has been completely transformed into a warren of colour-coded bars, glitz, glamour and improvisation style fully choreographed pre show entertainment of music and dancing reminiscent of a 1930s cabaret club in Europe. The performance space itself is an in the round auditorium with ringside tables for two, a full band encompassed in two dress circle boxes and an incredible bords eye view of the full hydraulic spectacular stage and all its moving parts for those seated higher up in the dress and grand circles.

Although gutted to have missed Jake Shears, Toby Turpin as the Emcee gave it everything and more- completely embodying the whimsical flamboyant cabaret club host turned enigmatic narrator with vocal chops that are undeniable. Turpin managed to hit all the right notes as the vulgar, sexy and comical character turns a darker and more sinister turn as the eve of Nazi German draws closer.

Rebecca Lucy Taylor, professionally known as Self Esteem, was without a shadow of a doubt the absolute star of the show. Her flawless communication of both the light and shade of the upper class fresh out of Chelsea Sally Bowles, fully encompassing the free-spirited and carefree façade that slowly strips away leaving behind the raw and vulnerable young woman by the show's titular number. Her standout moment came right at the end during the final number- Cabaret- in which animalistic movements and raw, spent energy mingled in a torrent of electricity that leaves you spellbound.

A strong supporting class complete this tale of juxtaposition between queer extravagance and passion and the ominous undertones of the change that would rock the world ending in exhilaration from fabulous night out underscored with sadness of knowing what would happen next.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐