Reflections on "Cabaret"

Musical comedy theater is not as big in France as in the United States or even the United Kingdom. So when the opportunity arises to see something live, other than an opera, we generally make every effort to see what is offered. This past weekend we had the pleasure to see Cabaret in Paris.



The show is being performed in the legendary French theater of the Folies Bergère. The stage and theater seating in the orchestra have been rebuilt to accommodate this show and to create the environment of the Kit Kat Klub. The aisles of seats have been removed and replaced with cabaret tables and chairs. A catwalk around the perimeter of the orchestra area is used by the dancers and musicians of the show. The stage is built with two levels for the performers. The movable furniture, while minimal for the show, is effectively used to create the environments of the boarding house, the cabaret backstage, and the fruit shop.







The play has been very effectively translated into French, including all of the songs. It is funny to see English lessons being given to a German pupil in French, but other than that the characters of Sally and Cliff are quite convincing as English and American in this context.


This is a very moving production of Cabaret and I believe it is true to its last reincarnation on Broadway. Dark, but not quite as dark as the current London production. Highly recommended if you find yourself in Paris and can get tickets to see it!


For me, Cabaret has quite a personal history, going back to the mid 70's when I saw the movie with other high school band member friends. We were performing some of the songs in a concert, so seeing them in the context of film added a new level of appreciation. Liza and Joel Grey created the prototype for Sally and the emcee which all others would be judged by. The story of the play sets a cultural map point for Americans regarding Europe before the war. Whether it is accurate or not, it does influence our perspectives of Berlin during this time in history. Having only seen the play in London, during its latest production, I can only derive how the interpretations of the play have evolved since the 1960's. A perspective of Europe, an appreciation of freedom and loss of freedom, sexual expression and homosexuality, personal decisions and personal history, all play important themes in this show.


Life is a Cabaret, ole chum. Come to the Cabaret!