If there is a time for fun and distraction, at what point does that time run out? Is it decided by fate or personal choice?
Cabaret is energetic, sexy and tender, fun and tragic musical of the fall of pre-war Berlin. It is lascivious and bold, with lots of passion from the cast. It is a timely lesson on the power of distractions and the wilful ignorance of coming dangers.
The story begins in Berlin in 1931. The city’s heady and voluptuous party scene is in full swing. The centre of this revelry is a cabaret called the Kit Kat Klub. Its Emcee (the marvelous Craig Dalley) is a sly, winking, sprite of mischief who takes the audience on a journey of decadence where no pleasure is denied. The Emcee pops up (or creeps about) in almost every scene, delighting in the dramas. The Kit Kat Klub is where people go to forget their troubles and The Emcee gleefully revels in his job.
During this merrymaking, American would-be writer Cliff Bradshaw (Calder Levine) arrives in the city to write his novel. He is immediately seduced by the temptations of the cabaret and its star, the self-absorbed Sally Bowles (the lovely Jeanne Motulsky). He befriends his elderly landlady, Fraulein Schneider (Linda Babins) who is sweetly courted by Jewish widower, Herr Schultz (John Kovac). This story brings much needed gentleness to a harsh world. But all of the partying and love-making in the world cannot stop the march to an evil that will change everyone’s lives. With the band festively playing on, a sense of dread sneaks in and builds and builds. Not even the Emcee can hold it back and becomes burdened by its inevitability.
The show has a great flow- there are no lags and every scene change feels smooth and organic. The numerous costumes were characters unto themselves. The leads are fine singers and the cast dives into the cabaret’s dance numbers with youthful joy and abandon. Well done!! Also, big kudos to the fantastic live band.
Cabaret can be seen as a warning from history. There will come a time when reality comes to the door while there is a great party going on. Whose side of the door will you be on?
Photo credit: Ian Cameron
Cabaret. Performed by the Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society. Show continues until June 16, at Harold Greenspon Auditorium, 5801 Cavendish Blvd., Côte Saint-Luc. Tickets can be purchased at The Eleanor London Public Library, The CSL Aquatic and Community Centre, at the door one hour before show time, or go to www.CSLDramaticSociety.com
