Review: Cabaret 2013

If it was possible to give two separate ratings for Cabaret 2013, we would. The two opening songs were weak and poorly executed, with most performers out of time with each other and the singing barely audible. We had the misfortune to overhear one audience member somewhat harshly comment ‘They looked like they rounded up a group of random people and shoved them on stage with an hour’s practice’.

Thankfully, the following renditions of Cell Block Tango (Chicago) and Pick a Pocket (Oliver!) reassured the audience that things were going to get better. The female harmonies in particular here stood out, and stood out largely throughout the entire night, as they were consistently strong, in key, and loud enough for the audience to hear. Ali Dunk and Issy Luba’s rendition of Therapy (Tick, Tick, Boom!) was fantastic.

After a great group performance of Cat and the Moon (The Lord of the Rings), things were definitely on the up. It was here that the evening transformed from average to outstanding, as Act One finished on a high note and Act Two began.

Two duet acts shined in particular in the second half: Jon Cobb and Sam Holland in Superstar (Jesus Christ Superstar) and Nick Bentley and Sophie Wright in Song That Goes Like This (Spamalot). The vocals and choreography really came through, and they got the audience laughing along in high spirits.

The best act of the night was without doubt Monkeys and Playbills (Title of Show), performed by Jack Carmichael, Mairtin Dwyer, Martha Geelan, and Ellie Hughes. The outstanding talent that UEA has to offer was truly showcased with this number. It was the moment in the night where Broadway standards came close to being achieved, and we wouldn’t be surprised at all to see all of these four performers going on to achieve stardom.

Props must be also be given to the full company performance of Once We Were Kings (Billy Elliot), Company (Company), and Model Behaviour (Women on the Verge of Nervous Breakdown) – the last two bringing the best voices and personalities of the company to the forefront of the stage.

The presenters, Michael Clarke and Gabriel Jones, were both amusing and slightly irritating, but above all, they were necessary. Together they completed the show and embraced the fact they were irritating, resulting in a great finale where they took on Good vs. Evil personas which the audience loved.

Cabaret 2013, was after all, a charity event in aid of ACODO and the Elimu Foundation. The faults at the beginning of the show can be excused for both this fact, and the fact it got substantially better as the night went on. All in all, it was another enjoyable and memorable night put on by the Minotaur Theatre Company.