6 - 28 Aug 2011
Musical

KickstArt is delighted to announce a Durban premier: a professional production of John Kander and Fred Ebb’s watershed musical, Cabaret.T  his classy, sexy musical set in Berlin’s decadent Kat Klub, 1931, revolves around a fast-living, English cabaret performer, Sally Bowles, and her relationship with young American writer Cliff Bradshaw.

The production stars Lisa Bobbert, Bryan Hiles, Charon Williams-Ros, Peter Court, Clare Mortimer, and Lyle Buxton. Janna Ramos-Violante, Liesl Coppin, Belinda Henwood, Marion Loudon and Jessica Sole forming a bevy of gorgeous Kit Kat girls described by director Steven Stead as being “so talented and hot that they could set the theatre alight, and may well do so!” They are supported by Darren King, Sean de Klerk and Marc Kay as a variety of dancers, sailors and thugs!...... And a gorilla.

Adding to the divinely decadent atmosphere is German musical theatre star Sascha Halbhuber making his South African debut as the sinister, sexy Master of Ceremonies, Emcee, in a role originally played by Joel Gray and fabulously reprieved by multi-award winning Alan Cumming.

KickstArt have once again assembled an outstanding production team to help realise this complex production: musical direction is by Evan Roberts, choreography by Janine Bennewith, set design by Greg King, costume design by Neil Stuart-Harris, lighting design by Tina le Roux and sound design by Megan Levy.

Cabaret was a hit in 1966 on Broadway and the first West End production opened on February 28, 1968 at the Palace Theatre in London with Dame Judi Dench as Sally.  The 1972 film version, directed by Bob Fosse with Liza Minelli as Sally Bowles, won eight Academy Awards.

Cabaret is best known for its astonishing musical soundtrack with fabulous numbers such as: Willkommen; Mein Herr; Don't Tell Mama; Maybe This Time; Tomorrow Belongs to Me; Two Ladies; The Money Song;  Married; and the famous title song, Cabaret.

It is set in 1931 Berlin, a city on the cusp of social upheaval and ultimately war. The action is set in an uber-decadent Burlesque style night-club, the Kit Kat Klub – with vivacious cabaret dancers oozing sex appeal. It is a time of secret rendezvous; vaudeville shows; velvet curtains; smokey nightspots; bright red lipstick; handsome strangers; hushed voices; fur coats covering dangerous lace......  

The story focuses on the unconventional relationship between British cabaret “star” Sally Bowles, and an aspiring American writer, Cliff Bradshaw. A parallel relationship develops between the no-nonsense owner of the boarding house, and a gracious Jewish green-grocer. Linking the action are observations of the night club’s flamboyant, outspoken Emcee. 

Cabaret is based on John Van Druten’s play, I Am Camera (1951) which was adapted from a semi-auto-biogaphical novel: Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood – who himself provides the template for the writer character, Cliff Bradshaw.

Performances are Tues-Sat at 7.30pm,  a matinee on Sat at 2.30pm, and Sun at 6pm. Tickets are R130 Tues-Thurs and Sat @ 2.30pm, and R150 Fri-Sun, with special low price previews on 6 and 7 August for R100 . Book at Computicket.

For block bookings of ten or more, please contact Ailsa Windsor on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / 083 250 2690.