Famous musical comedy, “Cabaret” is currently presented by the Theater Orchestra Bienne Solothurn (TOBS!). A beautiful production which highlights both the carefreeness and freedom of the Berlin scene of the early 1930s and the political threat which became more and more oppressive.
“Cabaret” offers a dive into Berlin nightlife in the early 1930s. Led by the master of ceremonies from the Kit Kat Club, the audience follows the meeting of two couples. One formed by the dancer Sally Bowles and Cliff Clifford, a young American writer recently arrived in town, fascinated by this effervescent nightlife, full of freedoms – particularly sexual – and crazy parties. The second love story begins between Fräulein Schneider, the American novelist's landlady, and Herr Schultz, a Jewish fruit seller.
But behind the carefree nature of this cultural scene lie misery and poverty rooted in a society subject to the rise of the National Socialist party. Faced with the Nazi threat, each and every person will react in their own way, even if it means putting their relationship in danger.
One of the most performed musicals
With a script by Joe Masteroff, texts by Fred Ebb and music by John Kander, “Cabaret” was first staged in New York in 1966. The musical is based on the play “I am a Camera ” by John van Druten, itself based on the “Berlin Stories” (1939) by the English writer Christopher Isherwood, inspired by the years he spent in Berlin at the end of the 1990s. 1920.
The success of musical is immediate. Its film adaptation, directed by Bob Fosse in 1972, won eight Oscars and made Liza Minnelli a star. Since then, “Cabaret” has become a Broadway standard and tours all over the world.
>> Listen to the program L'Echo des Pavanes live from Solothurn to discuss this production of “Cabaret”:
Very nice distribution
Tackling such an emblematic work is quite a challenge that the Theater Opera Bienne Solothurn (TOBS!) is currently taking on, with performances to be seen alternately in the two cities.
From the first notes of “Wilkommen”, we are taken by the hand by Christian Manuel Oliveira, a magnificent master of ceremonies who seduces throughout the piece, both with his stage performance and his voice. It must be said that the musical requires from the main protagonists skills both as an actor, through its numerous spoken passages in German and English (subtitled in German and French) and as a soloist, to interpret the sung tunes which require great vocal dexterity. And it's difficult to be under any illusions, as certain pieces are so well known.
Saturday evening, for the second performance in Solothurn, the entire cast took up the challenge of this “Cabaret” whose story takes a little time to take off. Alongside the master of ceremonies, we will mention Roxane Choux, who offers a magnificent final aria in her role as Sally, Fabian Netos-Claus, convincing Cliff Clifford, Christiane Boesiger, impressive Fräulein Schneider and Christoph Wettstein, playing a moving Herr Schultz.
More than just entertainment
In a rather sober staging and decor by Olivier Tambosi, this “Cabaret”, placed under the expert baton of Irwan Wassilevski, at the head of a Biel Solothurn TOBS Symphony Orchestra! amputated of its strings in this version by Chris Walger (1997), offers some great ideas (with the exception of the white pajamas representing nudity).
It places particular emphasis on this society which is moving from carelessness to drama, reminding us in passing that “Cabaret” is more than simple entertainment and, unfortunately, retains all its relevance in 2024. We will particularly note the latest minutes, of rare dramatic intensity for a musical.
Andréanne Quartier-la-Tente
“Cabaret”, musical by Joe Masteroff, John Kander and Fred Ebb. A TOBS production! to be seen alternately in Bienne and Solothurn until February 2, 2025, then in a few German-speaking Swiss cities.
