Your complete guide to Cabaret London

Dive into the smoky, seductive world of Cabaret, where moral ambiguity meets the glitz of the Jazz Age. At the iconic Kit Kat Club—more a mindset than a mere venue—American writer Cliff Bradshaw crosses paths with English cabaret star Sally Bowles. Their dreams shimmer, but the shadow of Nazism looms large, threatening their hedonistic escape. Featuring legendary numbers like Willkommen, Money, and Maybe This Time, this Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club revival transforms London’s Playhouse Theatre into Berlin’s most infamous nightclub for an unforgettable theatrical experience.

What is the Cabaret musical about?

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club is a bold revival of the iconic musical that plunges audiences into 1930s Berlin, a city teetering on the brink of fascism. The story follows Clifford Bradshaw, an American writer seeking inspiration, who encounters the enigmatic Sally Bowles, a British cabaret singer, at the infamous Kit Kat Club. Against the backdrop of the club's hedonistic allure, their lives unravel amidst the looming shadow of Nazism.

This production delves into themes of decadence, denial, and the political upheaval of the Jazz Age, brought to life by an immersive theater design. Highlights include a haunting rendition of the title song "Cabaret" and an atmospheric setting that blurs the line between audience and performers.

What is the Cabaret musical's plot?

Berlin, 1929-1930: a city caught between post-WWI bohemian decadence and the chilling rise of Nazism. Into this unstable world steps Clifford Bradshaw, an American writer searching for inspiration. He stumbles into the Kit Kat Klub, a raunchy, hypnotic nightclub where the enigmatic, gender-fluid Emcee reigns supreme.

Here, he meets Sally Bowles, a magnetic cabaret singer who embodies the club's hedonistic spirit. Their whirlwind romance unfolds against the backdrop of a society unraveling. Antisemitism surfaces in the love story of Herr Schultz and Fraulein Schneider, while Cliff’s friend Ernst reveals his allegiance to the Nazi Party. When Sally becomes pregnant, Cliff urges her to escape to America with him, but she remains bound to her cabaret lifestyle, leaving Cliff to flee alone. Brechtian and provocative, Cabaret reflects a world at its tipping point.

Who wrote Cabaret?

Cabaret owes its legacy to Christopher Isherwood’s 1939 novel, Goodbye to Berlin, a semi-autobiographical account of his time in Weimar-era Berlin from 1929 to 1932. The book vividly captures the era's vibrant yet crumbling society on the brink of Nazi rule. In 1951, playwright John Van Druten adapted the novel into I Am a Camera, a Broadway hit that set the stage—literally—for what was to come.

A decade later, Harold Prince sparked the creation of Cabaret, bringing on Joe Masteroff to craft the book, while John Kander and Fred Ebb infused it with unforgettable music and lyrics.

The trio behind Cabaret were luminaries in their own right. Masteroff, a Tony-winning writer, also penned She Loves Me and 70, Girls, 70. Kander and Ebb, musical theater legends, left an indelible mark with works like Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and The Scottsboro Boys.

Who is the Cabaret musical London cast?

The current cast of Cabaret London includes:

• Adam Gillen and Billy Porter as EMCEE
• Katherine Langford and Marisha Wallace as Sally Bowles
• Daniel Bowerbank as Clifford Bradshaw
• Sally Ann Triplett and Vivien Parry as Fraulein Schneider

What are some iconic Cabaret musical songs?

With music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, Cabaret delivers some of the most iconic tunes in musical theatre history.

Songs like “Don't Tell Mama”, "Willkommen", “Money” and the show-stopping hit “Cabaret” become timeless classics, capturing the hedonism and heartbreak of 1930s Berlin. Below, we’ve rounded up all the musical numbers that make this production an unforgettable experience!

What awards has Cabaret musical won?

In 2022, Cabaret triumphed at the Olivier Awards, taking home seven trophies, including an unprecedented sweep of all four musical acting categories. It also won three Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards that year and later added two WhatsOnStage Awards in 2024, including the coveted “Best West End Show.” With accolades across directing, design, and performances, Cabaret continues to cement its legacy as a theatrical masterpiece.

How long is Cabaret musical London?

The show runs for approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, with intermission.

Where is Cabaret playing in London?

Cabaret continues its iconic revival at the Playhouse Theatre in London’s West End.

Cabaret musical London reviews

• "The hottest of tickets" - Vogue
• "Wow. Just wow." - Evening Standard
• "This is it. This is the one. A theatrical triumph" - Daily Telegraph
• "A remarkable new production" - Independent
• 'This Cabaret announces itself as an outstanding piece of theatre" - Financial Times
• "London's hottest ticket" - Stylist

Book your tickets to see Cabaret at London’s Playhouse Theatre the West End stage before they sell out!