Cabaret - Playhouse Theatre

[FairyGodmother]

Don't do whatever I do. I seem to be catnip to magicians. Perhaps I just look gullible?

(Although I did once get a packet of biscuits out of being dragged onstage at the Edinburgh Fringe, so...)

[showtoones]

May 21, 2021 17:28:11 GMT mrbarnaby said:

May 21, 2021 13:42:50 GMT couldileaveyou said:

I'd be very surprised if they stayed for over four months tbh

They have apparently committed to 6months (performances) and the 5 weeks of rehearsal.

I would think that if the run is successful, and Eddie and Jessie have to leave after six months, they’ll just re-cast the roles. I think it all depends about how well it sells, running costs, and if there’s another show booked into the theatre.

[Being Alive]

May 23, 2021 20:46:57 GMT showtoones said:

May 21, 2021 17:28:11 GMT mrbarnaby said:

They have apparently committed to 6months (performances) and the 5 weeks of rehearsal.

I would think that if the run is successful, and Eddie and Jessie have to leave after six months, they’ll just re-cast the roles. I think it all depends about how well it sells, running costs, and if there’s another show booked into the theatre.

And if they do, can they cast Billie Piper as Sally please?

[Deleted]

May 27, 2021 14:55:33 GMT Being Alive said:

And if they do, can they cast Billie Piper as Sally please?

OOH! Then they can replace Mein Herr with 'Because We Want To'.

[dave]

A planning application has recently been submitted for the Playhouse which, without actually naming the show, pretty much confirms that this is the planned venue for Cabaret. It transforms the space into an in the round venue, including table seats around an oval central stage.
idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=QSZK4JRP27O00

[Seriously]

Looks nice... idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/online-applications/files/83888FFDBE193AE81BB9A5ED26B9845F/pdf/21_03108_FULL-PROPOSED_DRAWINGS_-_ALL-6857543.pdf

[BurlyBeaR]

The Proposals
The proposals comprise internal alterations to the theatre to allow for a new experiential production. The proposals seek to convert the existing end-on stage to a stage in-the-round, with reduced seating capacity. The performance will have experiential elements associated with it outside of the auditorium, requiring relocation of some uses within the theatre. Audience members will use both the Stage Door and new accessible entrances. The main changes can be summarised as:
 Stage: removal of stalls seating and building up the orchestra pit to provide an elliptical stage with additional stalls and raked gallery seating at the back of the stage. All interventions retain the existing theatre floor and stage and build up from them. Interventions are reversible.
 Dress Circle: removal of seats on the upper levels and building out from the Dress Circle Bar to expand the bar area and create a new experience space. Re-raking of the seats to provide sightlines to the new stage.
 Upper Circle: removal of seats on the upper levels and building out from the Upper Circle Bar to create new dressing rooms and other back-of-house space. Re-raking of the seats to provide sightlines to the new stage.
 Foyer: creation of a permanent ramped access in the location of a previous opening; alterations to provide internal access to ramped access; replacement of the existing modern bar; and installation of performance platforms within the foyer.
 Basement: conversion of some existing dressing rooms to provide a more generous hospitality area; creation of wall openings; and installation of new service kitchen.
Additionally, for the duration of the production run, there would be re-decoration throughout, to comprise painting and other aesthetic treatments. The existing colour scheme was introduced as
Page 2

part of the 1980s restoration and the redecoration would be reversed at the end of the run. The Circle level murals would not be overpainted.
The changes within the auditorium, to the stage and circles would substantially be reversible with the stage-in-round able to be retained or removed at a later date. The ‘in-the-round’ performance space would provide a unique attractor for The Playhouse Theatre, enabling it to stage different types of production to other West End theatres of an equivalent size.

[fiyero]

I think I need to start saving for this one. I loved my immersive seat at Fiddler on the Roof (a bargain one at the back which was priced higher later) and really felt I would have missed out sitting up in the traditionally cheap seats. These plans look like they do incorporate the whole theatre more though.

[Seriously]

It looks like they're planning to change backstage, reducing the amount of (already few) dressing rooms.

It's never easy working on a show at The Playhouse, so that won't help if it happens.

[princeton]

They certainly seem to be losing quite a bit of dressing room space to kitchen, bar and lounge space (and only gaining a very small amount from using the existing orchestra pit and storage space). Though they are creating additional dressing room space for the 'pre-show cast' at the rear of the upper circle - which probably gives an indication of the type of immersive show they're planning - that and the 'performer perch' above the foyer bar!

It all looks pretty exciting, and the Playhouse has always been a theatre with problems in terms of access and sight lines - so to make it a destination venue seems pretty sensible. However, with an emphasis on increasing kitchen and bar spaces it is slightly worrying, given ATG's past record, that the prices may well be going to be sky high with lots of Kit Kat packages with food and drink at table service included. I can imagine that the only reasonably priced seats will be in the upper circle - now reconfigured with padded bench seating. The application gives one reason for the change as wanting to encourage new younger theatre goers - so let's see if that's reflected in the pricing structure.

[Deleted]

It seems a very big project for just 1 production. I would assume they're looking long term for this layout? Lets hope it get the reviews it needs.

[alece10]

Now I am prepared to pay big bucks to see this as its going to be an "event" and a chance to see Jessie and Eddie on stage but I have a feeling its going to be impossible to get seats at any price considering the limited capacity and that I am not sitting on the ceiling on a bench.

[marob]

May 31, 2021 15:51:50 GMT alece10 said:

Now I am prepared to pay big bucks to see this as its going to be an "event" and a chance to see Jessie and Eddie on stage but I have a feeling its going to be impossible to get seats at any price considering the limited capacity and that I am not sitting on the ceiling on a bench.

Did you register for the early/priority booking?

[alece10]

May 31, 2021 17:00:19 GMT marob said:

May 31, 2021 15:51:50 GMT alece10 said:

Now I am prepared to pay big bucks to see this as its going to be an "event" and a chance to see Jessie and Eddie on stage but I have a feeling its going to be impossible to get seats at any price considering the limited capacity and that I am not sitting on the ceiling on a bench.

Did you register for the early/priority booking?

I did. Along with the world and his wife.

[BurlyBeaR]

May 31, 2021 17:13:22 GMT alece10 said:

May 31, 2021 17:00:19 GMT marob said:

Did you register for the early/priority booking?

I did. Along with the world and his wife.

I must be the cousin thrice removed then because i wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. I don’t care what starry actors are involved. 
In my humble opinion this show does not work on stage. It is a poor watch. Watch Liza in the film instead it will be more satisfying and you’ll not feel cheated. 

[alece10]

May 31, 2021 19:01:06 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

May 31, 2021 17:13:22 GMT alece10 said:

I did. Along with the world and his wife.

I must be the cousin thrice removed then because i wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. I don’t care what starry actors are involved. 
In my humble opinion this show does not work on stage. It is a poor watch. Watch Liza in the film instead it will be more satisfying and you’ll not feel cheated. 

Agree that the film and Lizas performance can't be bettered.
I did see Cabaret on stage once with Will Young and it was very dark.
But I really want to see Eddie Redmayne cos I'm shallow. 😀

[sfsusan]

Have they actually announced what role Eddie Redmayne will be playing? Or is it a tradition that the first actors announced are always Sally Bowles and the Emcee?

[alece10]

May 31, 2021 20:04:46 GMT sfsusan said:

Have they actually announced what role Eddie Redmayne will be playing? Or is it a tradition that the first actors announced are always Sally Bowles and the Emcee?

Yes. All the press releases are saying he will play the Emcee.
It's also the male lead in the show.

[couldileaveyou]

Besides at this point of his career playing Cliff would be quite anticlimactic

[Deleted]

May 31, 2021 19:01:06 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

May 31, 2021 17:13:22 GMT alece10 said:

I did. Along with the world and his wife.

I must be the cousin thrice removed then because i wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. I don’t care what starry actors are involved. 
In my humble opinion this show does not work on stage. It is a poor watch. Watch Liza in the film instead it will be more satisfying and you’ll not feel cheated. 

Bit premature to judge before you've seen anything about what this version of the show will be like...

Also many people are interested in seeing what great actors do with a piece no matter what it is. Nothing wrong with that.

[oxfordsimon]

I really don't understand the love for the film version of Cabaret. The stage show has a real impact with a great production. The heart is the Schneider/Schultz relationship for me and that is just sidelined in the film.

I also don't by the Minelli/York relationship. It ends up boring me whenever I have tried to watch the film.

Joel Grey is good but his performance doesn't suit the medium of film.

I know many will brand me a heretic for not sharing the adoration for the film. But I miss too much from the original.

[marob]

May 31, 2021 22:50:09 GMT oxfordsimon said:

I really don't understand the love for the film version of Cabaret. The stage show has a real impact with a great production. The heart is the Schneider/Schultz relationship for me and that is just sidelined in the film.

I also don't by the Minelli/York relationship. It ends up boring me whenever I have tried to watch the film.

Joel Grey is good but his performance doesn't suit the medium of film.

I know many will brand me a heretic for not sharing the adoration for the film. But I miss too much from the original.

I absolutely agree. I loved the Schneider/Schultz relationship. So What? in particular says so much about about German society at the time and the apathy that allowed the rise of the Nazis, and feels like it could have been written about now in some ways.

[danb]

I don’t really like either if I’m honest. I enjoyed the Donmar production in the late 90’s; that was breathtaking, but I’ve never wanted to see it again. Not even Siobhan Dillon in Kenwrights tour a few years ago could get me there.

[sfsusan]

May 31, 2021 20:32:38 GMT alece10 said:

Yes. All the press releases are saying he will play the Emcee.
It's also the male lead in the show.

Thanks, that's what I originally thought, then wondered if I was assuming. I have a hard time picturing him as The Emcee.

[Deleted]

You cant compare the stage and film versions because they are not the same Cabaret. Yes Liza gives a great showstopping performance, but she's nothing like Sally is supposed to be.

As mentioned, Schneider and Schults are really the emotional heart of the piece and without them, it loses so much. And without them, you dont get the pineapples!