CABARET @ KTW

I have read with interest the comments on this thread, and am saddened when people just bag others trying to put in an effort and keep community theatre alive. I went along to the show - and found that every negative comment posted has been completely and utterly wrong!! Paul Treasure has put together a fantastic show - very authentic and entertaining. Sitting the audience inside the Kit Kat Club worked wonderfully. We were part of the action and the emotion. Well done Paul. The "Tyler and Bree Show" mentioned - well that is not how it came across. Both are extremely professional and talented performers and that showed - their performances shone! Tyler as the dodgy MC made you want to laugh out loud and cringe at his inappropriate behaviour, but the emotion felt for him was real. Bree as Sally Bowles also played authentically, and she put in an outstanding vocal performance. The dancers and choreography really made the show - and left you in no doubt of the gender of the dancers. Not alot was left to the imagination. A lot of work has obviously gone into their performance - the sad distain on their faces, just going through the actions - and very well carried off too. Other standouts for me were Tim as Cliff Bradshaw and Lindsay as Frau Schnider. The characterisation and the emotions brought out by the whole cast, but particularly by these two really made the show for me. There were a few places that I actually had a tear in my eye, and believed it all. The male chorus did a great job as aryian sailors, waiters, hit-men - everything needed in a controlled and controlling way. Their stage performances were good, and really lovely voices, but they need to work a little on their ensemble vocals. Similarly, the orchestra was well sized for the kit kat club, and the players contributed well to the action of the show too, but the balance with the singers could be improved. The flute and drum occasionally overpowered the performers - losing some of the quieter emotion. The staging was very simple, using mainly lighting rather than sets, very few props, and this worked extremely well. It allowed the audience to concentrate on the action, with no uncomfortable pauses between scenes to break the magic or bring us back to reality. Overall, I found Cabaret a highly entertaining and emotional experience, and congratulate everyone who had some part in making it happen. If you don't already have tickets, then I believe it is too late to get them, but maybe try anyway. It is worth the effort to get to Kwinana and see the show.