Cabaret London soundtrack: A complete guide to the West End setlist

Step into the smoky, seductive world of Cabaret, where the Kit Kat Club invites you to leave your troubles (and your morals) at the door. This multi-award-winning London production transforms the Playhouse Theatre into a hedonistic 1930s Berlin nightclub, where the Emcee (equal parts charming and chilling) sets the stage for a tale of love, politics, and impending doom.

The London revival of Cabaret features a timeless score by Kander & Ebb, blending jazz, satire, and emotional depth. The soundtrack of London. From playful anthems to haunting ballads, each song adds depth to the story’s powerful message. Willkommen to the music of a world on the edge!

💃Act 1: From Seduction to Suspicion

The first act draws us into the seductive, carefree world of the Kit Kat Club while hinting at the growing darkness outside its walls.

Wilkommen

The Emcee welcomes you to the Kit Kat Club with a devilish grin, setting the tone for a world where pleasure masks peril.

So What?

Fraulein Schneider, pragmatic and unflappable, sings of survival in uncertain times, introducing the personal stakes amid societal unrest.

Don’t Tell Mama

Sally Bowles and the Kit Kat girls perform a risqué, tongue-in-cheek number about keeping secrets—because what Mama doesn’t know won’t hurt her.

Mein Herr

Sally oozes confidence as she sings of independence and heartbreak, stomping on the idea of commitment with every beat.

Perfectly Marvelous

Sally charms Cliff with her impulsive plan to move in, painting a rosy picture of domestic bliss with jazz-soaked flirtation.

Two Ladies

The Emcee and his companions push the boundaries of propriety with a playful nod to polyamory and Berlin’s anything-goes ethos.

It Couldn’t Please Me More (Pineapple Song)

Fraulein Schneider and Herr Schultz find innocent joy in a gifted pineapple, highlighting the fragile hope of their romance.

Tomorrow Belongs to Me

A deceptively sweet folk song that grows ominous as it hints at the nationalist fervor seeping into German society.

Why Should I Wake Up?

Cliff expresses his growing unease, torn between love and the looming political storm.

Maybe This Time

Sally lays her heart bare in this powerhouse ballad, clinging to the hope that, for once, love might last.

Money (Money)

The Emcee and Sally revel in the seductive power of cash in this infectious, satirical anthem to materialism.

🎭Act 2: The Party Fades, Reality Kicks In

As the curtain rises on Act 2, the carefree party atmosphere unravels, revealing the stark reality beneath the surface.

Married

A sweet yet poignant song capturing the simple dreams of Fraulein Schneider and Herr Schultz, shadowed by societal prejudice.

If You Could See Her

The Emcee dances with a woman in a gorilla suit, delivering biting social commentary on bigotry with a darkly comedic twist.

What Would You Do?

Fraulein Schneider makes a heartbreaking confession, justifying her decision to choose safety over love.

I Don’t Care Much

The Emcee adopts a haunting resignation as the carefree facade of Berlin begins to crumble.

Cabaret

Sally delivers a defiant, full-throttle performance, insisting that life is meant to be lived in the moment—even as the world falls apart.

Finale

A stark, unsettling conclusion that strips away the glitter to expose the grim reality beneath.

🎶Musical Highlights & Signature Sounds

• Jazz with an Edge: The score weaves in decadent jazz rhythms and German cabaret flair, perfectly capturing Berlin's hedonistic underworld.
• Emotional Contrasts: From the carefree charm of Don’t Tell Mama to the chilling turn in Tomorrow Belongs to Me, the music mirrors the characters' slow slide into darkness.
• Modern Resonance: This revival introduces subtle contemporary touches, making the music feel fresh while retaining its period authenticity.

Kander & Ebb’s legendary score for Cabaret swings between playful provocation and gut-punching poignancy. From the sultry invitation of "Willkommen" to the carefree anthem "Don’t Tell Mama", the music lures you in before breaking your heart with "Maybe This Time". And when "Cabaret" itself hits, it’s not just a showstopper—it’s a reckoning.

Dark, dazzling, and dangerously relevant, Cabaret in London is not just a musical—it’s an experience. So, are you ready to take a seat and let the show begin? Book your tickets today!