Cabaret – the Broadway musical has set its bags down at the Nikaïa this weekend. The people of Nice had the joy of delving into 1930s Berlin. The story, which takes place on the brink of World War II, proves to be timeless.
Between disparity and decadence, Cabaret – the Broadway musical takes the audience back to 1930s Berlin. The Kit Kat Klub, a decadent club in the German capital, welcomes the audience and immediately sets them in the mood of the Berlin Roaring Twenties.
Disparity and accuracy
Emcee, the Master of Ceremonies, guides the audience ambiguously: by turns cross-dresser and libertine, he flirts between disparity and a surprisingly accurate vision of reality. His sharp gaze starkly displays the state of Berlin of his time. The disparity allows Emcee to address the rise of Nazism while making very politically charged remarks. He creates comedy by extremely caricaturing the exclusion of Jews and denounces it without taboo. But Emcee and the artists of the Kit Kat Klub have no taboos and show it openly. The clever blend of lightness, trash, and tragic reality confounds and fascinates the audience throughout the show.
Of yesterday and today
The main themes ultimately prove to be timeless. The crisis and the rise of extremists in the background allow the spectator to identify with the characters to some extent. They constantly evolve on a tightrope, balancing between madness and wisdom. The intertwined stories of Sally Bowles, Fräulein Schneider, and the other characters oscillate between lightness and drama. The tragic and the comic intertwine to form a unique feeling that captivates the audience. All subjects are addressed; only the era changes.
A show that pleases
Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall have truly pulled off a hit. The show was multi-awarded in New York, where it sold out for six years, as well as in Madrid and Amsterdam. It was a genuine public success in Paris, garnering 6 nominations at the Molières in 2007 and 1 in 2008. The troupe is currently on its first tour in France.
The artistic performances delivered by the artists are remarkable. Theater, singing, dance: the Broadway musical has found just the right balance to please the French audience, who are not very accustomed to this type of show.
