Following a sell-out season in Sydney, The Kit Kat Club is returning to Melbourne in all its decadence for a new Australian revival of Cabaret playing at The Athenaeum Theatre from 27 April for 4 weeks only.
Cabaret features Paul Capsis as Emcee, Kate Fitzpatrick (Fräulein Schneider), Debora Krizak (Fräulein Kost), John O’May (Herr Schultz), Jason Kos (Clifford Bradshaw), along with Australian actress, singer and leading lady of musical theatre Chelsea Gibb (Sally Bowles). Today the final cast members were announced with Angelique Cassimatis as Helga, and Michael Cormick as Ernst Ludwig.
Cabaret in its musical form is based on The Berlin Stories by famous author Christopher Isherwood who exchanged his upper-middle-class conservative upbringing for the sexual freedom and social liberation of Berlin during the bustling 1930s. Adapted by song and lyrics team Kander and Ebb, Cabaret the musical became a semi-biographical portrait of Isherwood’s life, celebrating life on the edge.
Beneath the fun and games of Cabaret lies an ominous melody, providing a glimpse of vibrant Berlin’s dark undercurrents during the rise of Hitler. Walking the tightrope of pure entertainment and serious political consciousness, Cabaret continues to allure audiences.
At a time when much of society is again vulnerable to destructive powers, David M. Hawkins is proud to bring an innovative and exciting new production to Australia. “My aim is to create a new production of Cabaret that engages audiences unlike any previous production, and to do that I believe we need to return to the original source material,” said Hawkins.
“The universal issue of the human condition at the core of Cabaret comes from Christopher Isherwood and his perception of what it was like to live in Berlin during the rise of Hitler. The Weimar period offers many exciting theatrical techniques like Brecht’s that are present in the script that should be explored. I want Isherwood’s Berlin to be the heart of this production to open endless new layers,” he added.
David M. Hawkins has brought some of the biggest Broadway stars to Australia including Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, Ben Vereen, Lillias White, Faith Prince, Donna McKechnie and Shoshana Bean. He has presented national tours of Grammy winner Macy Gray twice and legends Helen Reddy and Melanie Safka.
Hawkins produced the award-winning 2006 tour of Hedwig and the Angry Inch starring iOTA, and historically opened the cabaret room, Kabarett Voltaire – where he introduced Sydney audiences to phenomenal talents including Rufus Wainwright, Christine Anu, Eddie Perfect and Tim Minchin in his first solo cabaret.
Cabaret
The Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins Street, Melbourne
Season: 1 – 20 May 2017 (previews: 27 – 29 April)
Information and Bookings: www.cometothecabaret.com.au
Image: Paul Capsis as the Emcee and Cast during the Sydney Season at the Hayes Theatre Co. (supplied)