Decadent, haunting and fun

Cabaret, Opera House, Manchester
THE hedonistic Berlin nightlife of 1930, with its perversions, vice and “seize the day” attitude is the fuel for Kander and Ebb’s enduring musical.

It’s a time memorably recreated in the opening scenes of this revival, which portrays a time when decadence and amorality ruled. Scantily-clad men and women dance in a whirl of seamy sexuality.

The main draw for this continuing tour remains pop singer turned actor Will Young, entertaining as the MC and other small ensemble roles.

But he is well matched by Siobhan Dillon as cabaret singer Sally Bowles, and by Matt Rawle who plays the would-be author about whom the show revolves.

The musical explores the fantasy world of Kit Kat club as a metaphor for Germany under the rise of Nazi fascism - a metaphor that becomes reality as “Tomorrow Belongs To Me” rings out and signals the end of the Berlin party.

That said, there is still plenty of fun to be had, including the “Two Ladies” scene — how many people can you get in one bed? “The Money Song”, and a lovely scene where the prim and proper landlady Fraulein Schneider is wooed by the generous gift of a pineapple.

Lyn Paul, from the 1970s pop group the New Seekers, is great as Schneider, forced by the need of a rent to turn a blind eye to the outrageous business carried out from one of her rooms by the fabulously outrageous Valerie Cutko as “sailor-lover” Fraulein Kost.

There isn’t a single weak link in this terrific show. Cabaret runs at the Opera House until Saturday.