Layton Williams and Rhea Norwood to lead West End's Cabaret

Originating in the '60s, Cabaret is a highly acclaimed musical with productions spanning the globe. Its 2021 revival on West End - produced by events producer Underbelly and the Ambassador Theatre Group and entitled Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club - won several awards, including seven Olivier Awards in 2022.

Passing the baton

The revival opened with Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley starring as the Emcee and Sally Bowles, respectively. The duo received Olivier nominations for their portrayals, setting the standard for future performers who took on the role, the most recent ones being Layton Williams (Bad Education) and Rhea Norwood (Heartstopper).

Despite the large shoes they're set to fill, both Williams and Norwood are brilliant performers who will undoubtedly bring their unique spin on these classic characters. The duo, set to join the cast beginning June 3, are joined by fellow new cast members Sally Ann Triplett as Fraulein Schneider and Fenton Gray as Herr Schultz.

The seedy underbelly

Cabaret is a show that pairs the flashy glitz and glamor of the Jazz Age with the grim rise of the Nazi Party in Berlin. It follows Sally Bowles, a young cabaret singer at the Kit Kat Club who navigates love, life, and the social fallout of trying to exist amid political strife. All while the Master of Ceremonies, the Emcee, glides in and out of the tale, drawing audiences further into the web being woven.

The musical is one of the most bedazzling shows ever staged, yet it also holds the distinction of being a visual treat with darker themes. It explores an uncomfortable period of history with theatrical cynicism, making brilliant use of set design and music to bolster its performances. The latest production is sure to uphold this legacy under the talented direction of Rebecca Frecknall alongside the latest lineup.

Catch Williams and Norwood as they light up the stage of the Kit Kat Club in Cabaret.