WAAPA - Cabaret (Quick review/thoughts)

Last night i went with a group of friends to see WAAPA's Cabaret performed by the 3rd Year Musical Theatre students and i thought it was fantastic!! Sure i went in there having been in the show twice (once at MPAC in 2000ish and again at Kwinana 2008) so of course i had certain expectations and prejudices, however they were bloody great and I honestly couldn't say that "ours" was "better" (as one always _hopes_ to think when seeing another version of a show you've already done) ;) The staging was open with a great set, loved the use of the curtains and the old school footage for the beginning and end train scenes. The MC was brilliant in his vampire/goth makeup and played to the audience well. His charisma made him extremely enjoyable to watch. I especially liked the roller-skate version of "If You Could See Her" and he set the tone for the end of the show in "I Don't Care Much". Sally was equally as amazing with her Diva characterisation however i missed some of her vulnerability, uncertainty and glimpses of self-esteem issues. This could have been because of the very brisk pacing of all the dialogue, seeming to sacrifice the acting nuances in favour of racing through to the numbers? I know for myself i found Sally's two big songs of Don't Tell Mama and Cabaret to be interpreted and performed in a very different way with a LOT of characterisation of voice over singing. I think i prefer it sung. Although i loved her Elsie impersonation, gold! I've never seen that part done so well before. And kudos on braving the real Oyster Prairie's like our Sally did (i'm still amazed thinking of how many you and her have/had to drink!) :D Fraulein Kost was another stand out and with her Mein Herr song she showed she must have been in the running to play Sally in casting. Very well done. The rest of the cast and the band were amazing as well rounding off a great production! Go and see it people, it's different to what you might expect, but that's a good thing! Thanks to WAAPA for another entertaining night!