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Post by Lynda on Jul 28, 2008 20:15:58 GMT
I’d Do Anything finalist Samantha Barks has landed the role of Sally Bowles in the forthcoming UK tour of Cabaret.
Samantha Barks on I'd Do Anything on BBC One
Barks, who came third on the BBC talent show earlier this year, will play alongside renowned dancer Wayne Sleep, who is taking on the role of Emcee. The tour will open at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on August 29, and will finish on April 4, 2009 at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal.
Barks said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to get this part. Cabaret is one of my favourite shows ever and Sally Bowles is such a great part to play. Having met Liza Minnelli during the filming of I’d Do Anything, I’m beside myself with excitement.”
Since its Broadway premiere in 1966, and the 1972 film version starring Minnelli, Cabaret has won a number of stage and screen awards including eight Oscars, seven Baftas, and 13 Tonys.
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Charliefarley
Junior Member
Everyone knows I'm strange so why should I be ashamed?
Posts: 83
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Post by Charliefarley on Jul 29, 2008 20:44:00 GMT
I can't wait to see this as I'm a huge fan of the film and heard rave reviews about the West End revival. I hope it's as Fosse-tastic as the film!
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Post by Lynda on Jul 29, 2008 21:38:20 GMT
ooooooooooooooo was the film a Bob Fossee one. Love his moves. Very Chicago then. L xx
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Post by Lynda on Sept 5, 2008 8:21:50 GMT
Cabaret (Birmingham & tour) Venue: Birmingham Repertory Theatre Where: Birmingham Date Reviewed: 3 September 2008
I love a Cabaret. The gaudy, decadent razzmatazz of underground 1930s Berlin drawn into warped focus by the deathly external corrosion of Nazism. Not many people have made a song and dance out of world war and genocide, but the contrast between the internal, careless hedonism and external brutal regime has always made this a striking and deeply affecting story.
Birmingham Rep’s production does both sides of the coin well. There’s a real sense of show about it; this is a company that knows how to work its theatrical machinery. The set, lighting, costumes are glitzy and seedy all at once, and with an impeccable live orchestra and top-class dancers employed, the musical numbers are suitably show-stopping. I’d Do Anything’s Samantha Barks as Sally Bowles proves her theatrical worth by singing everybody off the stage; although clearly can’t dance to save her life. There is, however, enough razzle-dazzle from choreographer Javier de Frutos of both props and people to gloss over this matter in a swirl of spinning stairs and snapping suspenders.
As well as a singer that can’t dance they also seem to somehow manage to pull off a dancer who can’t sing; Wayne Sleep as Emcee offers some pretty dodgy notes with an equally dubious German accent; but then Emcee is supposed to be small and weird, and Sleep is, well, suitably small and weird. He also makes a number of well-directed self-deprecating jokes and gives us a few twirls, so all is forgiven.
The darker side comes across well also; with an excellent performance from Karl Moffatt as ‘friendly’ Nazi Ernst Ludwig, and an increasingly cruel Nazi presence throughout the more menacing second half until the stark destructive nightmare of the final scenes. One of the most affecting moments of the play comes at the very end; where as the curtain falls we see a group of people, naked and crouching together, a portent of what is to come for the Jews in the gas chambers of the concentration camps. It’s the same members of the cast that were Kit Kat Klub performers previously; their nudity once saucy and entertaining, here it’s shockingly vulnerable and horrific.
There’s another significant contrast in the story; the fragile private lives of two couples that make up the bulk of the plot existing in the swirl of global political events. The delirious relationship between English showgirl Sally Bowles and American writer Cliff Bradshaw disintegrates alongside the more poignant relationship of old widow Fraulein Schneider and German Jew Herr Schultz; the former under the weight of personality differences, the latter under the weight of more harrowing socio-political differences.
It is in the telling of the more personal story that this production falls short. There isn’t quite the depth of feeling displayed that there could be; possibly due to a relatively inexperienced cast in some cases. Sally Bowles, for example, is quite a character to take on for a stage debut – particularly when there’s always Minelli to be held up against. That said, Barks’ rendition of the title song is a tremendous highlight; a brilliant, messed-up mixture of determination and desperation from someone trying to forget that the glitzy world around her is slowly crumbling.
- Fiona Handscomb WHATSONTAGE.COM
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Post by Lynda on Sept 5, 2008 8:22:36 GMT
Tom Carradine is MD
I am seeing it next week.
xx
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Post by Tanith Messenger on Sept 5, 2008 22:19:19 GMT
Interesting review! Woooo say hi to Tom for me
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Post by Lynda on Sept 10, 2008 16:41:00 GMT
yay seeing Cabaret tomorrow. I have been stuck at home too long, apart from seeing my sister in hospital today. *note to self, must get out more.
I will give Tom your love Tan.
L xxx
xxx
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Post by Tanith Messenger on Sept 10, 2008 21:08:35 GMT
cheers and have a fab time tomorrow xx Help you keep your mind off things for a while xx
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Post by Lynda on Sept 11, 2008 19:23:05 GMT
Saw Cabaret for the first time today at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Had a nice comfy front row seat. The show is completely sold out now in Birmingham. Tom Carradine was in the pit with his keyboard and accordian. Cabaret is set in 1931, (Samantha Barks from I'd Do Anything) is the girl playing Sally Bowles. Wayne Sleep is Emcee. A couple of old women screamed then laughed when a totally naked young man came on the stage. The choreography was Fosse like, but not quite there. Some very funny touches - wont spoil it for you. I really enjoyed it. The end was very touching. Well worth seeing if its coming near you, but dont delay booking tickets or you may well be disappointed. Young chap sitting next to me said he doesnt usually do matinees but had the day off, he said his new partner was Polish and he was taking him to see lots musical theatre as it was something he didnt do when living in Poland, what a great experience for the Polish chap. We both liked the MBT (Male Blonde Totty) who had a fab voice.I got a photo of him but not sure of his name as the brochure pic does not look like him. Of course I cant go anywhere without a mishap and I had one today. I was in front of the mirror in the ladies room, having just washed my hands, I then fluffed up my hair and my left earring went ping straight down the plug hole which had no grill inside it . I tried fishing it out with a pen but couldnt quite reach it as it was wedged too far down. I told a chap who worked there and he said he would get maintenance out and to come back during the interval, which I did. Apparently the ring was not in sight when they went to look. I shall therefore be writing to the Bham Rep, as I am wondering how many people have lost rings the same way. Plug holes need grills - what a ridiculous design, unless of course its the theatres ways of collecting gold !!!!!! So my day cost me more than it should have done. Chap told me to claim on my insurance, no point, as we have to pay the first £50, and earrings were only about £30. I met Colin King coming out of the stage door, he had been helping out. He will be back on the Joseph circuit soon. Love Lynda xx
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Post by Tanith Messenger on Sept 11, 2008 21:20:48 GMT
Shame you lost an earring but glad you enjoyed the show and got to see the guys :-)
Will get pics on gallery soon xx
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Post by Lynda on Sept 13, 2008 9:19:02 GMT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have found MY next Joseph. Theo Cook is a name to look out for, I would like to see him as the next touring Joseph. He plays the Nazi youth in Cabaret and his voice is amazing. I would like to go see the show again just to hear him sing. I have written to Kenwright about him, so fingers crossed, he could be our next Joseph , as if BK would listen to us fans. L x
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Post by Chrissi on Sept 13, 2008 12:00:55 GMT
Ooh sounds great Lynda. I'm hoping to go and see Cabaret when it's nearer to me, hope he's still in it and I shall listen out for him!!! xxx
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Post by Lynda on Sept 13, 2008 12:33:56 GMT
Just wait till you hear him sing "Tomorrow belongs to me" He is my profile pic at the moment on facebook Chrissi. Tour list is on Kenwrights site.
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Post by Chrissi on Sept 13, 2008 14:54:02 GMT
Ooh great Nice pic!!! Yes, it's coming near me!!! Will definately go and see it!
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