That makes the musicals beloved on Broadway, and especially the classics — inexplicably what is missing from the Parisian stages are more recent musicals, like “Hamilton.” and “The Book of Mormon.” Carsen’s “Cabaret” isn’t actually the first version of this musical, with Joe Masteroff’s book, John Kander’s music and Fred Ebb’s lyrics, to be performed in Paris this century. A French translation, staged by Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall, was presented at another historic pub site, Folies Bergère, in 2006. But the Lido2Paris production, in English with subtitles, is a dry, ominous performance.
Carsen, a renowned Canadian director, makes the most of the venue’s layout: the Lido is designed as a pub-cum-restaurant, with tables on three sides of the push stage, and Kit Kat Klub, location in the surrounding Weimar era Berlin. that “Cabaret” revolves around, it is like being at home in this atmosphere.
Before closing, Lido provided a fine dining service every night. (More than 150 people were fired when Accor took over, from restaurant staff to permanent staff.) Now, spectators have to walk to one of two mini-bars to buy a glass of champagne and sip, This left the audience feeling a bit disappointed. deserted.
The production chronicles Berlin’s nihilism in 1929 and the steady rise of Nazism, which some characters see as a pastime, beginning with cabaret performer Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli’s famous role, here is played with relentless intensity by Lizzy Connolly). Clifford Bradshaw, a bipartisan American writer who travels to Berlin in search of freedom and inspiration, sees a growing political threat — but fails to convince Sally, despite the love between them.
As the sarcastic Emcee who hosts both Kit Kat Klub and the show itself, Sam Buttery is a visual draw right from the opening “Willkommen” – bald head with heavy, bold, medium makeup attractive and somewhat rude.
