London’s Playhouse Theatre is being transformed into the infamous Kit Kat Club in preparation for Cabaret starring Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne and rising star Jessie Buckley this November.
As previously announced, the innovative production will feature multi-award-winning movie actor Redmayne (The Theory of Everything, Red, West End and Broadway) in his genre debut as The Emcee opposite BAFTA nominee and British Independent Film Award-winner Buckley (A Little Night Music, West End, Wild Rose) as Sally Bowles.
With performances due to begin on 15 November 2021, tickets will go on priority sale on 19 July and on general sale on 22 July.
Presented by Ambassador Theatre Group and Underbelly, the Kit Kat Club will be brought to life as an in-the-round 550 capacity venue for a unique version of the classic musical.
Announcing the production in May this year, director Rebecca Frecknall said: “It’s such a privilege to have the opportunity to direct Cabaret, a show that has always been dear to my heart.
“It’s thrilling to be able to approach this classic and important musical at a time when its themes and atmosphere feel so contemporary and resonant. I’m in awe of my incredible creative team who have come together to create a bold new production as well as a new ‘Kit Kat Club’, a bespoke home where we can truly embrace and unlock the world of Cabaret for a new audience.”
Frecknall heads a creative team that includes set and costume designer Tom Scutt and choreographer Julia Cheng, with musical supervision and direction by Jennifer Whyte, lighting design by Isabella Byrd and sound design by Nick Lidster. The casting director is Stuart Burt and the associate director is Jordan Fein.
Based on Christopher Isherwood’s 1939 semi-autobiographical book Goodbye to Berlin and the stage adaptation I Am a Camera by playwright and director John Van Druten, Cabaret features music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.
The show’s Broadway debut in 1966 starring Joel Grey and Jill Haworth was followed by its first appearance in London’s West End two years later with Judi Dench taking on the role of Sally Bowles alongside Barry Dennen as The Emcee.
Grey re-created his Tony Award-winning performance for the Bob Fosse film version in 1972 which collected eight Oscars including the Best Supporting Actor award for Grey and the Best Actress award for Liza Minnelli’s iconic and career-making performance as Sally Bowles
Angela Thomas
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