Cabaret. Part twelve.

[@TheGreatLobotomy]

The thing I find most brilliant about the character Emcee is that he appears as this devilish, mischievous, seemingly untouchable character through out the play, but at the very end he's heart wrenchingly human, and just as vulnerable and affected as all the other characters, maybe even more so.

[@beck3543]

god damn yes

[@lizzychrome7630]

This times infinity. His look at the party while they're singing the Nazi song is my favorite part after this ending scene.

[@Falcrist]

He's supposed to be effected more. He represents the soul of Germany.

[@krisrhood2127]

I feel sorry for him. I think that he loved all those people

[@melissawickersham9912]

@@Falcrist Exactly. The soul of Germany was fatally poisoned by fascism and in the end was destroyed in the war.

[@ladyinred161]

I love how coy Alan is when taking off the coat and the audience laughs and then he gets so serious once the coat is off and the audience goes silent. It's a beautifully sad moment.

[@hazellawrence2062]

Jacque M I watched an amateur production of this show, where the MC was done very similarly to what Alan does, and the audience (and myself even though I was only about 11) had the exact same reaction. It's quite chilling, isn't it?

[@yari9843]

Hazel's World it is. It gives me the chills every time

[@emmalarrr]

I saw Cabaret done by my uni about a month ago and at the end, Emcee's make up is smudged and his clothes are untidy, and he's singing this while the rest of the cast is standing behind holding candles. Suddenly two Nazis come in and start telling the audience to leave, giving you no time for applause. You see Nazi propaganda as you leave. It was unbelievably chilling - made it feel real as you were part of it.

[@evamatej694]

Saw at Kent university, Ohio and it was magnificent. End was same bonechilling finale.

[@Jay-qh6uv]

The vast array of things Alan Cumming can say with just his eyes while his mouth is saying something different, or even nothing at all, blows my mind.

[@hiddeninthesnowwe]

Amen.

[@samsara3694]

@7.22 - when he smiles and scoffs

[@brendamichiels276]

Daniel Vitale l

[@valmacclinchy]

So true.

[@alyssaranola1658]

For example, when he walked in when Herr Shultz was giving Fraulein Schneider the pineapple. He was only there to hold the pineapple, keep it in sight as a physical representation of Shultz' affection for Schneider, their innocent romance, etc, etc He was only there to hold the pineapple, not interact, yet his role was vital for keeping the pineapple seen by the audience. It's a good metaphor of the sort of role he serves, the sort of character he is throughout the play Uninvolved but necessary medium

[@WelahHomo87]

Very powerful moment. Pink triangle- Gay. Star Of David- Jewish. red star -Communism

[@wwaxwork]

Just watched the whole series. Man this is worryingly appropriate at the moment. I guess those that can't remember history are doomed to repeat it.

[@SourEggz]

wwaxwork Poignant.

[@mysticmeg111]

Yes history does repeat itself. Why do you think we are approaching WW3?

[@voidteller9274]

Watching in summer 2020, it is absolutely gut-wrenching

[@JeffFreemanPresents]

@@voidteller9274 I am left shaking and in tears every time I see this show. One of the best ever written.

[@omg9261]

You've read my mind. I'm watching the video now, while being in Russia. Never in my life would I imagine that I would relate to something that was happening in Weimar Republic. But here I am.

[@StarSnowGhost]

One of the most chilling and depressing musicals ever, up there with Spring Awakening, Next to Normal and Miss Saigon...

[@JeffFreemanPresents]

@Dio Brando In some ways we have Rogers and Hammerstein to thank. Their musical South Pacific is considered the first to leave the light hearted musical behind, and delve into truly dramatic themes.

[@blakereuter2651]

@@JeffFreemanPresents y

[@JeffFreemanPresents]

@@blakereuter2651 The second to last letter of the alphabet. Gold star for you.

[@blakereuter2651]

@@JeffFreemanPresents sorry I accidentally hit the y button, never meant to reply button.

[@blakereuter2651]

@@JeffFreemanPresents Gold star? Interesting choice given the theme of the play....

[@janeminwell4395]

I absolutely loved the film cabaret, but this is something else. Alan Cumming is mesmerising in every scene that he's in , Jane Horrocks acts her socks off , and deliberately sings out of tune , which can't be easy with her singing talent. This production is outstanding , and I can't stop watching it.

[@michellenie1477]

i don’t know why but when he took off his overcoat, i started crying really hard. i think the realness of it is what hit me

[@lizzychrome7630]

His goth makeup and disheveled hair change meaning in an instant the second his coat comes off. It's one of the most simple but incredible transformation scenes I've ever seen.

[@yiqianwang3155]

Can’t agree more!

[@vitart-info]

The same here

[@brynnanashton2865]

I love how dark Emcee’s expression gets at 5:43 when he’s saying they have no troubles there, like he knows that at that point in time, there is no stopping the trouble that’s coming.

[@DrCHUD666]

I found the finale to be extremely powerful in it's delivery. Aside from Bradshaw who managed to escape when he had the chance before giving into a degree of madness,...all those concerned were never going to be the same. They were either persecuted for their own beliefs, they had their own personal guilt persecute themselves and dragged them further into madness. Alan Cumming's delivery was dark, but also meaningful. His character remained the storyteller through music, delivering a bit of commentary along the way. In the end, even though the Cabaret was the only safest haven, it gave into that madness and those who remained were never going to be the same again. Really good performance.

[@hipsterbait5751]

Alan Cumming is actually perfect.

[@valmacclinchy]

Yes, he is! I was fortunate enough to dance with him in 1999, on Broadway. He's a humble guy offstage too.

[@DragonPrincessAoife]

In the first version of this production Cumming didn't take his jacket off until the drumroll, and that's more effective in my opinion. Keeping a happy goodbye, when he knows what's about to happen.

[@bobsburgers8497]

I agree but besides that this is REALLY good

[@clarinetchum]

I really love how the show, presents Germany as this cabaret, which, albeit, has seen better days. The Emcee ensures the audience that everything is beautiful! Even the orchestra is beautiful. During the show it shows Germany's problems and gains even. Two ladies, shows its two allies, that were neccesary to get as far as they did, money, to show what it needed to create the war. The final end shows how the entire cabaret comes to an end, like the German society did for sometime after the war.

[@HurriKate414]

Thank you for posting! Alan is brilliant as the Emcee. I don't care who this was written for, nobody can play it like he does.

[@valmacclinchy]

Absolutely 💯 He is perfect in this role.

[@mcslaggers4999]

I love Alan version of emcee. I love how when he says here his facial features change. Because of Alan I want to play emcee.

[@PeekabooS1]

I really can't say enough about the last few moments of this production. It is devastating and Alan Cumming is unbelievable. His changing facial expressions and body attitudes literally transport us from one world into the next. This is what theater is capable of doing at it's very best. Melding history, emotion, intelligence, music, and light into a human experience reminding us that we are all connected to the past, the future, the present, and each other. Bravo. Many thanks for posting it.

[@Zeppolino100]

I know it's virtually treason to say that someone played Sally Bowles better than Liza Minelli, but this actor sure does! In fact, both of these characterizations here are better for me than in the film (both York and Minelli being too much themselves). Sally is already worn out and pathetic, and the gentleman awkwardly sweet and innocent (Liza is too glamorous, and York too regal and knowing to pull that off).

[@hazellawrence2062]

Jane Horrocks is really amazing!

[@klcrawford24]

Almost everyone who's portrayed Sally Bowles has portrayed her better than Liza Minelli. *sips tea*

[@AlyssaRueckert]

I almost think it's not fair to compare them, since the movie and stage musical are such different stories. Liza's Sally makes sense in the movie, which is generally a lot lighter and presents Sally as a free spirit that's slowly being crushed with the rise of German nationalism/Nazism. In the musical, she's already been crushed and puts up a facade of the person she used to/wants to be.

[@newname34695]

@@AlyssaRueckert most people argue against liza saying that sally isnt supposed to have talent, but arguably it would be sadder that she has talent but is stuck in this horrible palce due to her actions

[@JeffFreemanPresents]

@@AlyssaRueckert Indeed. I love the movie because the lightness makes the drama even more insidious and frightening. I also love it because it was directed by Bob Fosse, who is one of my favorite directors of all time.

[@Zander45]

I just saw this performed at a small local theater, and it was so powerful, and it gave me such joy and despair. I love the film and I admire Liza in it, yet the film is less powerful and disturbing. The cast of this performance is intense and so good. I'm so happy to have seen this live and now here! Thank you for uploading it!

[@MusicOTNight2096]

Alan Cumming is one of the most brilliant and underrated actors I've ever seen. He delivers PERFECTLY.

[@touchofmagic100]

Wow, I got chills when he took his jacket off! So powerful. Thank you for posting!

[@stephantom8237]

Alan's series of expressions at 7:12 and 7:20 are perfect. Deep foreboding and disappointment quickly smoothed into another pandering smile. I feel like in just this scene by itself, he really makes something of the character.

[@jack1theatregeek]

FYI (the scenery at the end is a fence) The crash symbolizes the emce jumping in front of an electric fence, dead...

[@Star2Be5394]

That ending...wow. I'm at a lose of words. I knew what was coming with the Emcee and the uniform but the way Alan did it...my jaw literally dropped. Simply amazing. No other words needed.

[@Shimimouse]

One way to look at the character of the EMCEE is he is..well completely fucking insane. Knowing how it all ends you look at his smiles throughout the show and especially here, it comes off less mischievous/ Lecherous and more... pissed off. Like he wants to give us that punchline to the gut, he wants to build it all up, life is a Party ,Life is grand....and then kick us down the stairs for falling for the lies and the pretty picture. I mean just look at how much he hates the others here.

[@killyjoy000]

Ooooooh, the underscoring of this finale is so fucking phenomenal. Gives me chills every time!

[@Bend818]

God what a finale. Alan’s Emcee should be what every future Emcee should strive to be.

[@MrNoelJMIS]

Alan's "bow" at the end is one of the most frightening things I've seen in a Broadway show. I almost dropped my laptop! Bravo!

[@rebeccalafferty]

Truly amazing! Best production of Caberet I have ever seen. Alan Cumming is just jawdropping amazing! When he removes the coat and the sincerity of the situation kicks in. The girl playing Sally was extremely honest to her character and, in my opinion, did a far better job than Liza! Herr schultz was just fantastic and of course Fraulein Schneiderwas absolutely brilliant! Truly a work of art.

[@CearaMary]

That's a really powerful ending, brilliantly done. Makes you really think.

[@CravenHellsing]

Wow...i can honestly say i was never expecting the ending to be so unnerving. I am an American, but i once toured through Germany and i went to Dachau. It was....frightening, overwhelming, and emotionally draining. I was actually crying as we left. And i have to say that when Alan Cumming had that sly look on his face, then suddenly went instantly somber when he took off his trench, i applauded him. Best acting that i have seen in a long time. Beautiful.

[@hot4crocs443]

That's so powerful... it almost brought me to tears, and I've only ever cried after a production of sorts once before.

[@Rpartin93]

Both the movie and the stageplay are pretty good. But I think the stageplay is better because of one simple factor: no love triangle...

[@sgpproductions9016]

Cliff's scream at 1:47 gave me chills...

[@Lundy.Fastnet.Irish_Sea]

His performance is underrated

[@alyssaranola1658]

@ozbuckbear I disagree. I think emcee was sort of within and without the play. A part of it, but only in the part only truly seen by the audience and not the characters - and thereby able to directly talk to the audience. He wasn't really a person, wasn't meant to be. He was a sort of medium of the play, a doll wearing some of the plays vital messages through traits, actions, and musical segment/songs. He wasn't a character. He was intended to be one of the musical's mediums.

[@narmolania]

The ending that this play has, was truly what was missing in the movie in my oppinnion... Yes, the movie was "nice", but compared to this play, it leaves so much more to think about, much more room to hint, what happened waht is happening, and what will happen. I truly love how all fo the actors portraited theyr characters.. I have looked a lot of clips from different cabares, and these are truly my favorites. Theyr acting and interperation of the characters is brilliant, funny and just amazing.

[@VIncentSunflowers]

Thank you for uploading. This was incredible theatre delivered by an amazing cast. One could watch this half a dozen times from as many perspectives. Ultimately, Cabaret is a political statement unparalleled.

[@Ahuey88]

Alan Cumming is an incredible actor. I think it's wonderful that he's able to do so many different things. Not many actors can anymore.

[@flamingkitten1]

the way he says 'it was the end of the world' always gets me

[@aroim0]

Alan steals all attention whenever he's present in a scene. Every moment of the show without him on stage is a moment wasted tbh. Excellent performance, thanks for sharing.

[@janeminwell4395]

O , so agree , he is magnetic.

[@TheOnlyLMV4]

This is truly an amazing piece of theatre. The only problem I have is that if I were ever to see this live I wouldn't be able to see without Alan as Emcee lol But the ending is just heartbreaking. This was amazingly written and peformed. thank you for uploading it.

[@bucklikethedollar]

for the past three weeks i’ve been listening to the cabaret soundtrack and ive never seen it before this. i knew that when the song ended so abruptly, it had to be something important, but i had no idea it was this.

[@StargirllLauren]

Wow. That was the first time I've seen Cabaret; any version. It was purely amazing, I'm at a loss for words. Thanks for uploading!

[@jemb2000]

Jane Horrocks is heartbreaking in this. Sally Bowles is such a difficult character - she can easily come across as frivolous and little more. But Horrocks brings real depth and vulnerability to the characacter imo.

[@OofusTwillip]

That frivolity is her shield against all the bad things in life. She believes that if she ignores them, they'll go away. Her abortion is yet another refusal to face reality, as is her refusal to heed Cliff's warning to flee Germany.

[@meepmaster3863]

I had watched the 1988 version a few days ago, thought it was pretty good, watched this version and am BLOWN AWAY. 88’ had me impressed and 98’ has me emotional. Such a good production

[@Adretea]

the disharmony of the orchestra is so great! I love this ending....

[@DraculohRanls]

And the American author seems so extremely ashamed of what he knows will happen to the emcee and everyone as he is leaving Berlin and interacts with the emcee in his imagination.

[@sophiobourne2135]

The beginning...just wow. The emotions are strong.

[@Pww642]

The audience response of immediately cheering at the end of this - instead of, say, sitting in stunned and horrified silence - is honestly the most disturbing part. It’s all just entertainment, I suppose.

[@damaged05170]

Alan, you were born for it....

[@beck3543]

he was.. he was

[@janeminwell4395]

So agree , just irresistible in this role.

[@Judill]

This production is so brilliant. All of the performances are just perfect. I love it so much.

[@neilsailing]

Wonderful production and cast. Heart breaking to think what was to come.

[@ionealena6300]

Oh my god, when he takes of the coat my heart clenched

[@BabyBoiVideo]

This story tug at my heart unlike the movie (that I love). The movie is campy and fun but this is powerful theatre.

[@janeminwell4395]

From 2019, so agree with your comment.

[@maestroclassico5801]

From 2022 I notice how in the film, Sally and Brian seem to part on better terms (she sees him off) than Sally and Cliff.

[@gm5029]

@ryleeleeper The ending reflects the MC being taken in a prisoner of the nazis and he ends up jumping into a electric fence that's what the strobe is.

[@rialtobaby]

Just spent a lovely evening watching all 12 episodes. Quite a revelation, not least all the wonderful performances. Thanks a million for posting the entire show .

[@Gerrysmum3]

Thank you so much for sharing everything!! Nothing tells the perfect story like stage

[@barbarapatocka4232]

Alan Cummings was absolutely brilliant as the Emcee. He embodied the role completely.

[@Grelipe]

It was remarkable! It frustrates me to think that I spent so many time without knowing such treasures like this one.

[@maestroclassico5801]

What's interesting as there is probably 20-25 extra minutes not here ....Money, Maybe This Time, The Telephone Song, Why Should I Wake Up (A song for Cliff!) and Meeskite (the theme when you hear Herr Schultz talking at 6:32). So this is from 1993! Jane is just 29 here! She and Alan have aged VERY WELL!!

[@finleyforevermore]

Save for Telephone, Wake Up, and Meeskite, all those songs were in this production, but were just cut for the proshot. For some reason, for the proshot they chose to include earlier material, like this version of the Finale, and the more fleshed out dialogue about Cliff being bi before Perfectly Marvelous.

[@dyingmessenger]

Alan Cumming has to be the best at everything he does. He's one of my favorite actors of all time.

[@dannytheman1313]

When Emcee is looking around you can tell the Nazi's are storming the thearter but he has to keep the show going because at the very least the show must go on. The band and preforners jailed. All the people we've met on this journey are dead having been hanged some not for being German but for not being German enough in the eyes of the Nazi's. He was probably torched and chained until he finally died. All because they chose not to pay attention to what was happening around them.

[@kmjdlc]

i think that everyone can learn something from giving this show a watch. especially in these times. if we just pretend everything is okay, it will not fix anything.

[@zoeyan708]

it is sooooo nice,i love this version much more than the movie one,it's not only a cabaret,it shows the life.

[@loriann8551]

This was an amazing rendition. What a cast Jane harrocks was phenomenal

[@wildlark]

wow....i keep wishing that good would triumph every time i see this lol but i know how it ends...and i keep going from happy to depressed in this finale. they keep going from happy to sad so abruptly! this musical is truly one of a kind and utterly brilliant

[@Pww642]

In this version Cabaret comes ahead of Cliff and Sally’s final confrontation. I recently saw a revival where it came AFTER. What’s your thought on the best order?

[@finleyforevermore]

I think it makes most sense narratively for the song to come first, then the confrontation. What production did you see? :0

[@way2sly4you]

did I just miss them or were Don't Tell Mama and Money Makes the World Go Round cut?

[@missjazzynotes]

I can't even describe how much i love every single little thing about this show. Alan is sooooooooooo good in this, so SO good.

[@weirdloopyloo]

Haunting and incredibly well felt, I now understand why Liza Minelli's performance was lacking something, it didnt' have the reality of Jane Horrock's one.

[@jmw939]

I’m sure if this was the idea, but the Emcee speaking about the orchestra in this scene might have been referring to, in an ironically sarcastic way, to the the actual orchestra that “greeted” prisoners at the gates in Auschwitz .I’ve never seen that addressed before.

[@finleyforevermore]

My god...what a detail..

[@dustytheloneranger]

remember when Alan Cumming was in Spy Kids?

[@Roomfullofvamps]

Yes!

[@percy445]

i love the emcees fruity little earrings they’re only here in this version

[@Tom-zc7xp]

@shadowkid379 The translation is Goodbye. This is the only time it is said in the show, for obvious reasons.

[@sisifromthefuture]

I wasn't ready for that emotional heartache.

[@Millie1922]

Thnk you sooooo much for sharing!!!!! I REALLY wanted to see this production for a long time.

[@clarinetchum]

very symbolic and moving!! I liked the part where the emcee was like teasing you about taking his clothes off and he is infact wearing a concentration camp uniform

[@Sml12345]

I saw this live in 1998 when I was a teenager. I will say this. You COULD NOT take your eyes off of Allan Cumming for one second. Mesmerizing is an understatement.

[@moreau17]

Perfectly cast.... i love this version. Gives me chills.. & i love Jane as Sally.

[@MrDrobin71]

Unfortunately, knowing history, this show cant end lightly or with a smile. It has to end with a kick to the gut; anything less does a disservice to what millions would go through in the next decade under the nazis.

[@johnroever2575]

wow thanks for this. i missed the broadway version of this production, with natasha richardson. i had no idea jane horrocks originated the original UK version. i had only seen the movie version; this interpretation is so different and interesting.

[@jack2001cz]

He is absolutely fabulous, he is absolutely perfect. Bravo, bravo, bravo !!!

[@vjbbender]

I've seen this maybe a dozen times and I still get chills

[@QuiteHotBros]

Why on Earth did they cut out Money from this production? That's like doing West Side Story without Maria. This is still wonerful, though.

[@redonthehed7285]

Actually, the Money song (Money, Money) was written for the movie and was not in the original Broadway version of the show. The number Sitting Pretty was originally done in that spot of the show - in some productions of the show done after the movie was released, Money, Money replaced or was "Mashed up" with Sitting Pretty.

[@finleyforevermore]

Money was included in this production, but was cut specifically for the proshot.

[@delaneye11a]

Such a magnificent and powerful ending. Absolutely astounding show.

[@princessslm1997]

that's what i love about this musical... the songs in the Kit Kat Klub relfects what's going ouside the club and it's just eye opening. In the beginning everything is so wonderful, but in the end it's not. I really love this show

[@TheGreatLobotomy]

I had accidentally seen Emcee's reveal before I watched all of this, and as I watched it, it felt like agony because I knew what the punchline was. I knew how it all ended. This probably is the only musical that's ever made me feel like this before. Also, this is the only version of Caberet I've ever seen.

[@TheJthedog]

It definitely makes the reveal so much more meaningful in the long run, especially after knowing it’s coming. You get new meaning on every expression he makes, every moment of fear or anger quickly pushed aside or hidden with a smile.

[@alysiabfk]

the end of this makes me want to cry, I never want it to end.

[@TrippleLProductions]

I'd never seen Cabaret before and I literally sat in shock for about five minutes afterwards, Alan Cumming is brilliant though!

[@Syderamma26]

Ugh, I love the ending of this... i just feel so sad though:(

[@WickedWitch091]

Like everyone else is saying, thank you so much for uploading this! I've always wanted to see Alan Cumming as the Emcee and now I've got my wish. He's, imho, the best Emcee there is. :)

[@Biowoman.]

OMG how intense wos that ending! The first time i watched this I honestly did no see that coming! everyone beaten and the emcee! god what can I say but wow!

[@witchywanda666]

Man that was spooky at the end.. Gave me shivers!!

[@DrCHUD666]

The ending to this was really deep. I have to admit,.......it made you think. So yes,.....very good production upgrade from the original.

[@edithann1284]

1972 was a different time. Still very close to the war. I read that in one version of if you could see her, they had to substitute another word for Jew. They got it on the movie, but the censors would never have allowed the nudity and half naked EMCEE. I think Joel Grey was great. At least he could , and can dance! And yes, he guides the story, all the EMCEEs do.

[@PeepShowPussyCat]

AMAZING. I've wanted to see this version for a long time now.

[@broadwaylover365]

Standing ovation!!!!! that was really good! thanks for posting!!!

[@emmalarrr]

On a positive note, they also had the cabaret girls and boys, in character, roaming the audience before the show and during the interval. Got some of the best reactions I've ever seen :P

[@ShakespeareOfBorg]

Thank you SOOOO much for uploading this, I thoroughly enjoyed this version :o)