I've seen Alan's version too many times to count here on YT, and I can NOT even deal w/the fact that I never made the connection between that gesture, which he makes every. single. time. in the "Au Cabaret" line, to a Swastika before this video showed Eddie's gesture! What the hell is wrong with me?! I need to have my music AND history degrees revoked. (Plus I'm Jewish, so I'm questioning that now too, lol!)
@@rosesleeps yeah it’s very strange that people complained about the Swastika poses that Eddie Redmanye’s Emcee was doing because the Nazis literally wear armbands with them on it in the show.
Alan literally makes the Swastika in his performance as well ! Some of the people acting like their intelligence was insulted here, are doing too much. Most people didn't even realise about the swastika until screenshotted and pointed out. Plus, the production might not have the mirror, but you literally see the other half of the audience in front of you, laughing at that one particular song in Act 2, until they don't
I read this comment an hour ago and I haven’t stopped thinking about it. this is the perfect explanation for why this production uses the round and makes such a big studio transformation. I love this take!
With more style so it’s not as blatant as Eddie, but I feel like if you’re performing for the Tony’s you’d want to hit some people over the head with the imagery, idk.
Given that he was also in the wildly successful and influential film, and won an Oscar for it, it seems odd not to start there. Because part of the criticism comes from those only having that reference. They do not know the 90s revival changed the story further, or that it ends differently. Criticism is valid regardless of your entry point, but not knowing Joel Grey embodies the role for the majority of people is a bit odd.
I just watched Redmayne's Tonys performance and it was very unique and interesting. Cartoony and puppetish, awesome creative costuming, strange and funny choreography. I like it. Redmayne is very much an English theater performer, completely unafraid to do a bit of ACTING. I think it's important for each actor to put their own mark on the emcee, and Grey, Cumming, and Redmayne have all done that.
@@heltaku9397 The US doesn't have the same history with panto, and his ACTING is not seen the same. Someone somewhere else pointed out he is trying to do clown, and clown is a lot harder than it looks. He is not the right actor for clowning. A different take would have gone over better here, maybe. But as you say, he does take from the more overt, panto-like tradition in his work. It's okay. Not everyone is required to have the same taste. Making room for others to like or dislike things is good. The response to "I didn't like it," isn't always, "I did."
Musical theatre people have a tendency to cling to certain versions or performances of shows or roles as "the definitive" version, to which all others are negatively compared. And to an extent thats fine coz we all have faves, but when you get people acting like ANYTHING different from THEIR version is automatically wrong, even if whats being done is closer to an older version or even the original, its just annoying. At the risk of sounding like some kind of gatekeeping asshole myself, its kind of whack seeing certain people on twitter bashing Eddie with no actual thoughful discussion on what choices are being made n why just because they stan the most well known modern portrayal of the character and think that makes them a well versed Broadway aficionado. Love or hate it, both are valid, but have a reason beyond "its not Alan Cumming"
YES! You are so right! I see this all the time and is shows such a misunderstanding of what theatre is and what makes it different (and better in my opinion) than other entertainment media like film and tv. A theatre performance is going to be different every show, every night. Actors have to make choices in the moment and they do it right in front of you. We should always celebrate new interpretations of shows and its characters even if we do not like every choice. Everyone has a different perspective to share and allowing them to share it is part of what makes theatre so much fun to see. The interpretation of an actor who originated the role in not automatically better than the interpretation of an actor who portrays the same role twenty years later in a community theatre.
It seems incredibly dumb to do this about theatre. Isn’t part of the appeal of theatre that the same text can be reinterpreted and restaged in different ways depending on who the creative voices are behind it? Like there’s a reason people are still doing Shakespeare. Even centuries later you can still draw new meaning out of that material and often do it in a different way than someone may previously have been able to do. That’s not to say every play is Shakespeare, or even that you have to like Shakespeare, but by and large it’s true that most plays have the capacity to become new and fresh works of art whenever they’re staged. And imo that’s such a strength of the medium. Acting like a revival must try to replicate the “definitive” version or it has failed seems very close minded to me. No one has to like the creative direction they chose, but just merely being different isn’t enough to make it bad.
Every time I try to watch a recorded protection of this show, its always just trying to replicate what it was. But I want to see different artists take on it.
All of this!!! It’s definitely one thing to have preferences, but it’s another to write off an interpretation as inferior or invalid even simply for being different. Its so saddening to watch, especially when you can see so many people putting such hard work into it.
I saw Mason Alexander Park as Emcee in the West End - having a trans Emcee was a revelation. They looked so *wrong* in the suit in the end, in the best possible way.
I'm soooo jealous!! They looked like they were slaying in that, I was so close to blowing my savings on a flight to London and a ticket to see them lol
That sounds incredible. We actually have a woman playing Emcee here in Mexico City right now, but they make her look very androgynous, which I think works very well for the character, specially in a modern production.
Omg I saw Mason too! Their interpretation had my jaw on the floor. Most Emcees become more and more unhinged and hysterical as the Nazi influence creeps into the show. The way Mason’s behaviour became more and more conservative and understated and THREATENING was such a brilliant avenue to go down. The bit at the end where the Emcee says, “we have NO TROUBLES HERE”, it’s like they’re DARING Cliff to say otherwise. Urgh. So good.
Maybe I’m in the minority, but I really like his performance. There’s an uncanny valley nature to it that is very offputting. And I think for a show like Cabaret it really fits. he comes across as friendly and inviting and tempting but there’s something off about him. As if lying under the surface, there’s something more sinister and I think that Eddie really captures that about the Emcee. He is our twisted guide to the real things that are going on. Maybe it’s just me, but I think this is really refreshing and truly reflect the message of Cabaret. Beneath all the makeup and color and smiles. There is something dark underneath, and it cannot be ignored. And if I’m understanding correctly, how the show ends and the role that the Emcee plays in that is something that hasn’t been explored. I won’t spoil it, but he truly does get terrifying at the end. With each iteration of the Emcee something new is explored. Joel, Alan and Eddie all bring something different. No two Emcee’s are the same. and they shouldn’t be. Because each one has a message to convey to us and a new perspective that we need to explore with this story.
It kinda reminds me of that “friendly person” that everyone likes, except you. He is nice. He looks nice. He acts nice. But you find them suspicious. Then later on something come out about that person that justifies your suspicion.
That’s why mentioning joel grey’s version is important. Eddie’s version is closer to the original one, where they are enablers instead of future victims. Both versions are amazing. But cabaret could be also about germans were enablers of the growth of fascism in their country. Specially when we are seeing it now. In the 90’s when most Europeans thought there was no way it would happen again, an interpretation in which they present how they hurt everyone around them (like queer people) it’s good. But now, when we see happening again, it’s cool to see how everyone could be an enabler of it. Which is literally the point of the original with joel grey, that’s why they show the mirror at the end. I think you are allowed to dislike this version, but i think some people are rating it based on a thing it’s not. And also, they are using it as an excuse to hate on eddie. And they can hate on him, they just have to be honest about it, instead of creating fake deep reasons. 🤷🏾♀️
Part of the reason I don’t like this revival is because I don’t think they understand the rise of the Nazis or what the Nazis hated about places like the Kit Kat Club. Honestly I’d aim most of my criticism at the director.
One of the best ways to understand the rise of the Nazis in Weimar, Germany is to read Christopher Isherwood’s book on which Cabaret is loosely based. The musical emphasizes the Clubs that Isherwood himself attended and builds upon his growing awareness of the rise of the Nazis, that so many Germans, particularly wealthy Jewish families dismissed. The name of the book is , Goodby to Berlin, and it is written in novel form about real life events that Isherwood witnessed before he fled Germany in 1933.
Why is it that now a days no one is allowed to just not like something. Eddie redmayne over acts and his portrayal is not good. Plenty of people agree and that’s ok. It’s ok to say something isn’t good. That someone, despite putting their best effort in to something fell short. That’s life. His performance is panned by most because it’s not that great especially compared to what we’ve already seen that has made it such a huge production in the past.
All iterations of the Cabaret M.C. have been kind of creepy. I guess people are deciding which kind of creepy they like. I am an old man so I remember seeing the movie Cabaret in the theater. So unsurprisingly I like the Joel Grey take the best. The movie also used mirrors showing the audience at the beginning and end. At the beginning the mirror only reflected one Nazi in uniform in the audience. At the end over half of the audience are Nazis. Very powerful.
Felllow old person here. Although my introduction to the show was via Joel and Liza, Alan remains my fave Emcee. It's as if he's creepily luring me into being okay with what is happening. I saw him in '98 and was immediately intrigued. Not as cheerful (?) as Joel; not as 'psychotic' ( I've only seen the Tony bit ) as Eddie. I'm a huge history nerd so of course this is such a different view of the madness occurring at that time.
The fact this revival (and thus this discourse) is tied to drag race (Marcia Marcia Marcia plays bobbie and understudys the Emcee) Kayla can never not be even six degrees separated from drag race
If you go to KitKat in Berlin, they’ll also make you cover your camera with a sticker because most people are very unclothed there (though most Berlin will make you cover your cameras). I’ve watched Cabaret at the theatre I work at in Leipzig, Germany over a dozen times this year. The theme of this last season was about how preventing history from repeating itself needs to begin today. I think the staging winds up being different for a German audience because there isn’t a need for any kind of subtlety. At the end of the play, the Emcee comes out in a N*zi-esque uniform, complete with an armband. And I find it powerful because the emcee is so charming and even tells off one of the n*zis during the show, but then becomes one in the end. You spent two and half hours being charmed by someone who defends the targeted groups, only to see this person become the thing they supposedly hate, which I think works really well for a German audience. On an unrelated note, we sang “Tomorrow Belongs to Me” in my high school choir but without any context and I find that to be such a weird choice to this day. I’ve been keeping that in for years ngl
Makes sense to me that we need Cabarets for different times and different places. I think it should always be in production as it’s part of trying to prevent history repeating itself. With the current rise of the far right in Europe whatever resources we have to show how easy it is to slide into such extremism feel more and more necessary.
my partner and i have been discussing this ever since the tony awards happened. and honestly, we both really appreciated his portrayal of emcee. not saying we liked it or disliked it, but seeing new interpretations of characters that have been around for a really long time is always amazing. and that's the entire point of theater. this was a revival. not a remake. it wasn't meant to be a carbon copy of every other production. Does that make sense? i've probably worded this weirdly.
Not mentioning Joel Grey feels like a disservice to the discourse. As much as people love Alan Cumming and Sam Mendes' version to essentially suggest by omission that no one now remembers/cares about the original, iconic performance, particularly the one that was immortalized on film, is odd.
I found Eddie's portrayal disturbing and weird (in a good way), which is a must for this character. I mean, if you're not off-putting, you're doing it wrong. However, Alan Cumming added that overt sexuality, which added an extra layer of disturbing for me. It was just so dirty, for lack of a better word, and I prefer that artistic choice when portraying the Weimar republic and the rise of Naziism. It's just personal preference.
same here, lol. But its all okay 😄 at least there are still some reasonable people out there! i was anxious about all the wild opinions, good and bad. But thankfuly im calm now
My husband played in pit orchestra for a local theatre production of Cabaret around the same time as the Tree of Life synagogue shooting. Opening night was 3 days after. This show will always be relevant
right now as well with what's happening with Palestine. I wasn't familiar with the plot of cabaret until now but yeah it hasn't left my mind since I learned about it. Definitely an interesting time for it to be performed
Im glad you mentioned the mirrors! It's a technique from the orignal production that was used for that exact effect of reminding the audience of their complicity in rising fascism. I find it somewhat upsetting that people seem to be critiical of Cabaret being too on the nose when its always been that way. Very intentionally Brechtian. Also, Cliff was never really that central in the traditional sense. Cliff always gets ovwrlooked bc he doesn’t sing, and Sally + Emcee get all the popular songs that people remember. But hes not really supposed to be the central character; hes the narrator. Like, it shows his journey through it all too, but just not with song, or at least not the popular songs. Fraulein Schneider's songs where she sings to Cliff reveal a lot about him too, but that gets overlooked. Its the unfortunate byproduct of how musicals are consumed by the general public, so it makes sense why people would feel like he gets sidelined. But an invalid argument imo.
When I was 17 we did Cabaret at my college. I played Frauline Schneider the landlady of the boarding house where Sally and Cliff lived. I got to do a solo, and two duets, one was the pineapple song, we just got a quick snap of it in there. Thanks, every time I get a pineapple and watching that takes me back to over half a lifetime ago. “For the sun will shine and the moon will set, and you learn how to settle for what you get, it will all go on if we’re here on not so who cares so vat?” I did a great German accent (an imitation of my holocaust surviving grandmother) It was a fun experience esp on my off night bc I got to be an extra in the club. I’m glad you got to see it, even if it was from the rafters.
What is killing me is that all this discourse, all this "here's my hot take" and "hello, I'm Terminally Online Numbnuts and I'm auditioning for the part of Hit-Tweet-Maker" and at the end of the day, the damn musical is about the rise in fascism and totalitarianism as you said, made in a time when artists and creatives made that kind of stuff, and right now at this moment, the clickity-clackers on their keyboards can type essays about how a musical performance ick'd them and is therefore definitely Bad while they are happily The Audience in Cabaret! Here to be entertained and turn a blind eye to what's happening globally-which they're complicit in!! It's like critiquing the food spread at a funeral service. They are looking everywhere but at the body at the end of the room.
Cabaret is needed more so than ever. Slowly and steadily we are slipping closer to facism, it’s sweeping across Europe. Rome wasn’t built in a day, the n@zis didn’t just turn up out of nowhere, they were and still are very popular, their ideology is still popular.
@@collindysart6472 are you not aware of the global political situation? @mystic_mimi21 is right, the far right is getting worryingly stronger accross various continents.
I’m deeply passionate about Cabaret. It’s far and away my favorite musical because it moved me and affected me in such a profound way. For me, the best emcee is always always gonna be Joel Grey. But I’ve never seen one I disliked. I haven’t seen Eddie because, regrettably, I don’t live anywhere near broadway, but from what I’ve seen I appreciate his take and what he’s doing. I get why people found Alan Cumming so much more palatable, but that’s what’s great about the emcee. He’s so mysterious and ethereal that it isn’t even clear if he’s a real person or just a concept. I think they should revive Cabaret a million times. I don’t know anyone in my life who has seen it except the people I forced to watch the film with me, and I think it’s so crucial, especially now, that people see it. I don’t think anything new necessarily has to be said. That being said, I think the argument that cliff isn’t getting enough to do does kinda feel like you aren’t that familiar with the musical. Cliff is technically the main character but he’s a boring every man. He’s the audience surrogate. The audience experiences the Kit Kat Club and Sally through his eyes. That’s his whole purpose. The only defining characteristic he has is he’s American and he hates fascism. And honestly I’ve always found that problematic that the only American in the show is the one true hero who stands up to nazis and leaves before shit gets really real. But it was written at a different time when that America-centric view was prevalent. The only massive change I would make to Cabaret, if change had to be made, would be to recharacterize Cliff to be a little more flawed
I saw cabaret in London waaaay back in the early 2000s and the ending number was performed with the chorus dancers completely nude, going from sexy nightclub performers to concentration camp prisoners. It was heavy but really unique and powerful.
My question is how many people that dislike Eddie’s performance of the emcee saw the original film version with Joel Grey? I feel like so many modern musical theater fans just know about Alan Cumming’s seductive, decadent take on the role that seeing one that’s so uncanny and mechanical throws them off what they know, like Eddie mentioned that Joel Grey was an influence to him in this role so his emcee borrows a lot from him which makes sense (edit: because Eddie’s mannerisms remind me so much of how I felt watching the movie with Joel and it made me feel on edge which works with the show)
I love how u do actual investigation for your videos, like not only are you going to discuss a topic you’re going to go and physically experience it in order to make a deep and well rounded video- so good.
@@froginaclogsince no one else has responded to you yet I’ll just give you the run down lol. Jane’s interpretation of Sally was a lot more abrasive and manic as well as purposely giving a more rough around the edges vocal delivery as opposed to Liza’s more polished world class delivery (Because when you’re Liza fucking Minnelli how can you not? Lmao) and some people were put off by this probably expecting the 90’s version Sally to fall more in line of Liza’s interpretation of the character.
My problem with this version is that the Kit Kat Klub is supposed to be some seedy nightclub, and this one has its performers dressed is glitzy, expensive outfits for every number. It looks more like a modern drag show than a 30's nightclub. They miss the point from the very conception.
as someone who had to watch the Jane horrocks production with Alan Cumming on CZcams for my theater class in HS during the pandemic, I really appreciate you approaching this topic with class. While I grew up listening to the Liza Minnelli and Joel grey cabaret soundtrack and watched the movie when it was playing on TCM in High school, people are expecting a whole copy paste production of Joel grey and Liza Minnelli but in reality, it’s not going to be the same and that’s completely okay. While Sally is my dream role, I want to add in my own comments with the Cabaret discourse and say that while I understand people have their own personal reasons to dislike Eddie Redmayne, they need to know that every actor who has played the Emcee will put their own twist on it! The whole message of Cabaret is basically a way to distract people from the horrors of the world around them until we realize that it’s too late and we’ll later get what’s coming to us no matter if we’re complicit or not. I also want to point out that while I didn’t watch the Tony awards as I didn’t feel like ethically supporting the show, the wilkommen performance wasn’t that bad because to me, Eddie was giving joker meets art the clown vibes and I thought it was perfect! If people want an upbeat cabaret styled show then they can go watch moulin rouge because they seem to mix up Cabaret with Chicago. 🤷🏽♀️
I don’t relate to people who dislike theater/musical revivals for being different from the original (or some older version) because that seems like the point of live performances, to me. But I can understand in a way, if you really love some other version it might be disappointing that you’re not able to see it again. I just wish people weren’t so rude about their opinions, like people take the “let me be a hater” thing too far by being incredibly mean and say awful things about *real people* in a public space, rather than just stating their opinions or even just hating privately.
I said this before in another video: the main issue was the way that freaking number that went viral was filmed. And also, judging two minutes of his whole performance is unfair. We would need to watch the whole show in order to see what the intention of changing the character's demeanor (from the ones we already know) was.
I got to see Cabaret a few weeks ago and a thought it was interesting. I think Eddys performance is closer to the Original performance by Joel Grey. Allen Cummings performance was very much a departure from the original production. So it’s funny that people always compare Emcees performance to Cumming when in reality, Redmanyes performance more closely align to Kander and Ebbs original intentions…
Proud to say I was one of those lucky people they pulled onto stage to dance with the cast. Granted, I watched the show when both Eddie and Gayle were out so tickets were cheaper enough for me to consider dropping the money ($220 compared to the usual $600). Most I've ever spent on a Broadway ticket, but at least it was a one in a lifetime experience. I don't know how they choose which audience member to pull to the stage, but I'm assuming the cast base it on vibes like if you seem like you're having fun they'll pull you up.
in terms of the mirror being held up to the audience, I think it happens after "If You Could See Her" when the audience is laughing at the gorilla sequence and all of a sudden that line of the end of the song is dropped and its a shocking twist, the way the theatre is set up so that people on both sides of the stage are meant to look at each other makes you notice the people opposite you. we've all just been laughing at this gorilla and the emcee and now we feel guilty
The current Mexico City production has the big mirror. It was my first time seeing a live production of Cabaret and I found it to be a very effective element, considering the theme of the show. Editing to add that Emcee is being played by a woman here, but she is made to look very androgynous, which I also found to be a very interesting choice for a modern production (in a good way).
Joel Gray did an amazing job in the movie riding that line of being in the nightlife while still letting Nazi ideology seep into his characterization as the movie goes on.
This is my first glimpse of Redmayne's Emcee, he's graceful and creepy and perfect. Have people never heard of Joel Grey? If anything, it's too close to that, but still unique.
I feel that Eddie Redmayne in regards to everything except for his costume is an exaggerated rip off on Joel Grey. Like an outright parody. I’ve seen countless productions of Cabaret and this production takes from other productions, especially when it comes to Sam Mendes’s vision. This production never would’ve happened if it wasn’t for Sam Mendes. Prior to his version, there was no push to reinvent the MC. The MC was defined a creepy clownish one man Greek chorus that wore heavy make up and a tailcoat. No one tried to change that because no one thought to prior to Mendes and in my opinion, after being a dedicated fan to Cabaret for 16 years of my life, it is impossible to come up with a truly original concert for the MC. Just wait till the replacements come for Eddie Redmayne and you’ll see a lot more Joel Grey with some hints of Alan Cumming because that’s what the majority of Eddie Redmanye replacements on the West End have done.
I saw it this week and I was blown away. The artistry from Eddie was intense. He definitely made me feel joy, fear, laughter, pain, and suffering. I was completely engrossed the entire time. Gayle was incredible too. Strong, fierce, feminine yet masculine. Her voice is haunting and incredible. I didn’t know what the show was before I saw it so I was in shock and horror when I realized it was about Nazi Germany. The message was strong. The music was incredible. I felt like I was in a burlesque club. My troubles were left at the door and life was beautiful.
I recently watched a mini doc on the history of cabaret and it was really interesting, it covered it from the original short stories to the Liza Minnelli movie version. Of course it made the algorithm send me everything cabaret afterwards and just yesterday and today I saw a couple clips of Eddie Redmayne with no context (I didn’t realize it was being staged again) and the comments were kind of unhinged and nasty. I’m so interested to see what you have to say about this because I am lost. Like without context I thought his version fit with what the story of cabaret at its core is? It’s a different version for sure but it didn’t feel out of place with what the character is a supposed to represent in the play. Edit: the Doc was by Matt Baum here on YT if anyone is interested
This was the highlight of my trip in NYC. Eddie Redmayne's performance was spectacular! I loved how he added his quirkiness to the character. I also admired his vocal range. It was amazing how he could sing with an accent. And it was such a bonus when he came out after the show and signed autographs. ❤
I honestly truly believe that people actually don’t understand what Cabaret is about…but eddie’s performance was INCREDIBLE and just deeply unsettling (as its supposed to be!) and im kinda obsessed
to add to your final point: i think people on the internet also need to separate disliking something with it then being objectively bad (and vice versa.) of course, that's not to discourage anyone from critiquing art, but sometimes it's not so much the quality of the art but your personal taste. there's a lot of grey area here, I know, but if people weren't so hellbent on PROVING their opinion is right when it comes to art I think we would all be a little bit more chill.
My favorite fact about cabaret, is that the actual real life inspiration for Sally was a ardent communist who resented the apolitical nature of her portrayal.
Not a musical girlie but I'm glad you said something about "why bring this musical about fascism back if there is nothing new about it." Daily we as Americans are witnessing our government cause a genocide in Palestine, force Christianity into our public schools, kill non- white people without repercussion, and try to erase LGBTQ+ people. We are living in a moment in time where fascism is somewhat the reality, but to not make any new commentary on that is an *interesting* choice (and not a good one imo).
Well, you just convinced me to watch Cabaret. Also, as a fellow bi girl with a straight male partner, that clip of your bf in the theater with you making the Kit Kat Club joke had such “straight bf of a bi girl” energy that it made me laugh out loud. My husband was like, “That sounds like something I would say.” Lmfaooo
Please mention Joel Grey's performance He wasn't just another Emcee He was THE EMCEE in the movie!!! And at the very end of the show, it wasn't the way the musical ended, if anything, the movie ending was a lot darker and a lot creepier. They don't show Emcee in the uniform that Alan Cummings Emcee was showed in, they just show the audience and then you realize what is gonna happen after the movie ends. Eddie's performance is close like Joel's performance, but very original in a movement I love this movie and the musical
I believe swastika thing is not noticable in the live show, it happens too fast. The only reason it was noticed now because it captured on camera and you can rewatch it over and over again.
I’m not really a musical guy, I didn’t know anything about Cabaret. I went to the show with my boyfriend and it was amazing! Loved the pre show and actual show. I haven’t seen other versions so I can’t compare
I got pulled up on stage but had no idea it would happen lol... it was crazy to see the audience from that perspective and definitely opened my view of the partying at the end of the world theme that was present
13:22 minutes and not a peep about Christopher Isherwood’s semi-autobiographical book “Goodbye to Berlin”; John Van Druten’s play, “I Am a Camera”, or the incomparable, Joel Grey.
I was privileged to see Joel Grey (the Tony and Oscar winning OG Emcee) in the first revival of Cabaret in the late 1980's. I believe that the issue started when the Emcee went from a supporting, observing player to a star turn. It throws off the balance of the show. This is not to discredit those performers who have played the Emcee after Grey, it isn't their fault. My heart sinks watching Cliff's (I think they may have even renamed the character by now) role and perspective get smaller and smaller with each revival. But then again, I also wish the song "Goodtime Charley" had stayed in the show so what do I know?
He’s “weird” by normie standards and I think some chronically online people never really forgave him for being in the Danish Girl(?) lol I think he’s fine tho
@@teddieprox2307 because he's a cis actor who played a trans person, but everyone forgets that at the time this was the only rep trans people got, and I'm pretty sure Eddie already has made a statement about how if it were today he wouldn't have taken the role Literally most good actors have some kind of role like that is their discography, especially if a certain age when it was unheard of to have actual trans people get trans roles, but a lot of people don't want to be willing to understand that times were not like they were now (and the Danish Girl wasn't even that long ago too, there's be a lot of fast change with trans roles and actors)
@Starburst514 As a trans person myself, I don't see the problem of an actor taking a trans role today tbh. I understand that we need more trans people on screen, but if we start policing who qualifies for a trans role, I think we'll just end up with another kit connor situation
Thank you, thank you for this video. Im a huge Eddie Redmayne fan, i had the oportunity to see this version in April , and i enjoyed it. And this last week has been..... overwhelming , with too many dramatic opinions, but your video was very middle headed and resonable. it was good ❤👌i liked how you talked about it and the points you mentioned.
I hate you so much for getting to see Bebe Neuwirth while I'm stuck in the south,haha. So jealous! Redmayne is cool, but Neuwirth is fucking Broadway royalty!!! Though I will say, a friend of mine shot a movie around here with Redmayne and he was the sweetest, kindest man, so I love that he's getting good reviews in this. Genuine man.
Not liking Eddie Redmayne is a red flag to me. He's an amazing actor and seems to be a very sweet man and i'm willing to go to war over this man that does not know that i exist, so fight me 🤣🤣🤣
So am I lol. I don't know him but I heard from someone else and he sounds wonderful and very caring, and this seems in line with the way his cast and colleagues on Cabaret post about him!
‘I’m prepared to attack marginalised people who object to harm being done to their community because my favourite celebrity is the bestest’ Is what you sound like. Redmayne seems decent enough, but he has done legitimate harm to marginalised groups, attacking people for criticising him compounds that harm.
While people are allowed to have their opinions and share them - I do wish people would also realize that their opinion isn't always _...needed_ or wanted. I wish people would from time to time ask themselves "Does this bring anything worth bringing into the conversation or indeed the world? Is this constructive?" If I just don't like a certain actor no matter what they do, sure I'm entitled to my opinion, but does that need to be vocally expressed especially on the internet? If I have no actual critique or reason that they could take to grow or something? Yeah, just say "that actor isn't my cup of tea". And yes, I do actually do the above things myself! I sometimes just delete a comment without posting it if I realise it's really giving nothing but maybe negativity.
Ahh I was trying to comment when the first upload was taken down! So, I wasn’t sure about the Tony performance but realized I do have bias towards the Sam Mendez production. But I’ll be damned that I keep rewatching the Tony performance so they’ve subtly lured me in. I don’t think I’ll be able to see the show, though, since they canceled the performance I was scheduled for and I can’t do another date as of now.
Seen it twice on West End both times got table seats and must say, soooo worth the price! Last time was this Wednesday and I love seeing different interpretations of the roles. Jake Shears was my favourite Emcee of the two but both were fabulous. The last guy we saw Toby Turpin, he was also very impressive, he was very tall which gave him this really frightening looming quality in the second act! Cant wait to go again!
That’s reminds me of people hating on David Bowie’s version of Kurt Weill’s “Alabama Song” because it’s “too weird” and not similar to the more generic rendition made by The Doors.
Great commentary I’m currently playing Sally in a production in LA and I agree completely! I wonder for the next revival of the show (which is bound to happen) if that director will take on the task of truly refreshing it in a way that will satisfy us who hold this show so dearly. Love all your vids btw ❤️
I’ve seen many different casts in London and hence many versions of Emcee. For me, Emcee has to be fun but also super unsettling. I went in completely blind having 0 idea about the play and from the first sec I saw Emcee, I loved him and clapped hard etc but felt uncomfortable. Then when tomorrow belongs to me was sang, GOOSEBUMPS! From then, he was just out right scary. Shout out to Jake Shear for being the absolute best!! With that being said, I have always loved Eddie Redmayne’s acting and I completely expected this exact way of performing so loving it!
"I don't like that Eddie's posing as a swastika. It's too on the nose."
Meanwhile, Alan Cumming's Emcee: 4:38
And he does it multiple times throughout the show. It's amazing to me that this was one of the criticisms.
I came here to post this!!!
I've seen Alan's version too many times to count here on YT, and I can NOT even deal w/the fact that I never made the connection between that gesture, which he makes every. single. time. in the "Au Cabaret" line, to a Swastika before this video showed Eddie's gesture! What the hell is wrong with me?! I need to have my music AND history degrees revoked. (Plus I'm Jewish, so I'm questioning that now too, lol!)
@@rosesleeps yeah it’s very strange that people complained about the Swastika poses that Eddie Redmanye’s Emcee was doing because the Nazis literally wear armbands with them on it in the show.
I thought that was what it was, then I was deluding myself like "uhh YMCA?" but no ok haha I was right the first time
Alan literally makes the Swastika in his performance as well ! Some of the people acting like their intelligence was insulted here, are doing too much. Most people didn't even realise about the swastika until screenshotted and pointed out. Plus, the production might not have the mirror, but you literally see the other half of the audience in front of you, laughing at that one particular song in Act 2, until they don't
woah great observation on the audience being the mirror, to well…the audience!!
I read this comment an hour ago and I haven’t stopped thinking about it. this is the perfect explanation for why this production uses the round and makes such a big studio transformation. I love this take!
4:39 Didn't Cummings just do the same thing with his arms?
Yep
With more style so it’s not as blatant as Eddie, but I feel like if you’re performing for the Tony’s you’d want to hit some people over the head with the imagery, idk.
The fact that people can discuss Cabaret and the emcee and not even bring up Joel Grey is so wild to me.
For real. Joel Grey was phenomenal in the role.
Given that he was also in the wildly successful and influential film, and won an Oscar for it, it seems odd not to start there. Because part of the criticism comes from those only having that reference. They do not know the 90s revival changed the story further, or that it ends differently. Criticism is valid regardless of your entry point, but not knowing Joel Grey embodies the role for the majority of people is a bit odd.
I just watched Redmayne's Tonys performance and it was very unique and interesting. Cartoony and puppetish, awesome creative costuming, strange and funny choreography. I like it. Redmayne is very much an English theater performer, completely unafraid to do a bit of ACTING. I think it's important for each actor to put their own mark on the emcee, and Grey, Cumming, and Redmayne have all done that.
@@heltaku9397 yeah I was really excited for Eddie Redmanye to perform because Wilkomen is my favorite song right behind Two Ladies
@@heltaku9397 The US doesn't have the same history with panto, and his ACTING is not seen the same. Someone somewhere else pointed out he is trying to do clown, and clown is a lot harder than it looks. He is not the right actor for clowning. A different take would have gone over better here, maybe. But as you say, he does take from the more overt, panto-like tradition in his work. It's okay. Not everyone is required to have the same taste. Making room for others to like or dislike things is good. The response to "I didn't like it," isn't always, "I did."
Musical theatre people have a tendency to cling to certain versions or performances of shows or roles as "the definitive" version, to which all others are negatively compared. And to an extent thats fine coz we all have faves, but when you get people acting like ANYTHING different from THEIR version is automatically wrong, even if whats being done is closer to an older version or even the original, its just annoying. At the risk of sounding like some kind of gatekeeping asshole myself, its kind of whack seeing certain people on twitter bashing Eddie with no actual thoughful discussion on what choices are being made n why just because they stan the most well known modern portrayal of the character and think that makes them a well versed Broadway aficionado.
Love or hate it, both are valid, but have a reason beyond "its not Alan Cumming"
YES! You are so right! I see this all the time and is shows such a misunderstanding of what theatre is and what makes it different (and better in my opinion) than other entertainment media like film and tv. A theatre performance is going to be different every show, every night. Actors have to make choices in the moment and they do it right in front of you. We should always celebrate new interpretations of shows and its characters even if we do not like every choice. Everyone has a different perspective to share and allowing them to share it is part of what makes theatre so much fun to see. The interpretation of an actor who originated the role in not automatically better than the interpretation of an actor who portrays the same role twenty years later in a community theatre.
It seems incredibly dumb to do this about theatre. Isn’t part of the appeal of theatre that the same text can be reinterpreted and restaged in different ways depending on who the creative voices are behind it? Like there’s a reason people are still doing Shakespeare. Even centuries later you can still draw new meaning out of that material and often do it in a different way than someone may previously have been able to do. That’s not to say every play is Shakespeare, or even that you have to like Shakespeare, but by and large it’s true that most plays have the capacity to become new and fresh works of art whenever they’re staged. And imo that’s such a strength of the medium. Acting like a revival must try to replicate the “definitive” version or it has failed seems very close minded to me. No one has to like the creative direction they chose, but just merely being different isn’t enough to make it bad.
@@anony-missythis comment perfectly encapsulates how boring balletomanes can be too
Every time I try to watch a recorded protection of this show, its always just trying to replicate what it was. But I want to see different artists take on it.
All of this!!! It’s definitely one thing to have preferences, but it’s another to write off an interpretation as inferior or invalid even simply for being different. Its so saddening to watch, especially when you can see so many people putting such hard work into it.
I saw Mason Alexander Park as Emcee in the West End - having a trans Emcee was a revelation. They looked so *wrong* in the suit in the end, in the best possible way.
I'm soooo jealous!! They looked like they were slaying in that, I was so close to blowing my savings on a flight to London and a ticket to see them lol
Yeah, me too. They were really good. Mesmerising in the role.
That sounds incredible.
We actually have a woman playing Emcee here in Mexico City right now, but they make her look very androgynous, which I think works very well for the character, specially in a modern production.
Their version of "I don't Care Much" will haunt me to my grave. It's just so devastating.
Omg I saw Mason too! Their interpretation had my jaw on the floor. Most Emcees become more and more unhinged and hysterical as the Nazi influence creeps into the show. The way Mason’s behaviour became more and more conservative and understated and THREATENING was such a brilliant avenue to go down. The bit at the end where the Emcee says, “we have NO TROUBLES HERE”, it’s like they’re DARING Cliff to say otherwise. Urgh. So good.
Maybe I’m in the minority, but I really like his performance. There’s an uncanny valley nature to it that is very offputting. And I think for a show like Cabaret it really fits. he comes across as friendly and inviting and tempting but there’s something off about him. As if lying under the surface, there’s something more sinister and I think that Eddie really captures that about the Emcee. He is our twisted guide to the real things that are going on. Maybe it’s just me, but I think this is really refreshing and truly reflect the message of Cabaret. Beneath all the makeup and color and smiles. There is something dark underneath, and it cannot be ignored. And if I’m understanding correctly, how the show ends and the role that the Emcee plays in that is something that hasn’t been explored. I won’t spoil it, but he truly does get terrifying at the end.
With each iteration of the Emcee something new is explored. Joel, Alan and Eddie all bring something different. No two Emcee’s are the same. and they shouldn’t be. Because each one has a message to convey to us and a new perspective that we need to explore with this story.
I’m with you, and I think a lot of people love it for what it is. It is not for everybody, and frankly, that’s something I like about it!
I think it’s a travesty that Michael c hall isn’t ever in the conversation he’s my favorite portrayal
It kinda reminds me of that “friendly person” that everyone likes, except you. He is nice. He looks nice. He acts nice. But you find them suspicious. Then later on something come out about that person that justifies your suspicion.
That’s why mentioning joel grey’s version is important. Eddie’s version is closer to the original one, where they are enablers instead of future victims.
Both versions are amazing. But cabaret could be also about germans were enablers of the growth of fascism in their country. Specially when we are seeing it now.
In the 90’s when most Europeans thought there was no way it would happen again, an interpretation in which they present how they hurt everyone around them (like queer people) it’s good. But now, when we see happening again, it’s cool to see how everyone could be an enabler of it. Which is literally the point of the original with joel grey, that’s why they show the mirror at the end.
I think you are allowed to dislike this version, but i think some people are rating it based on a thing it’s not. And also, they are using it as an excuse to hate on eddie. And they can hate on him, they just have to be honest about it, instead of creating fake deep reasons. 🤷🏾♀️
Love this
Part of the reason I don’t like this revival is because I don’t think they understand the rise of the Nazis or what the Nazis hated about places like the Kit Kat Club.
Honestly I’d aim most of my criticism at the director.
One of the best ways to understand the rise of the Nazis in Weimar, Germany is to read Christopher Isherwood’s book on which Cabaret is loosely based. The musical emphasizes the Clubs that Isherwood himself attended and builds upon his growing awareness of the rise of the Nazis, that so many Germans, particularly wealthy Jewish families dismissed. The name of the book is , Goodby to Berlin, and it is written in novel form about real life events that Isherwood witnessed before he fled Germany in 1933.
Why is it that now a days no one is allowed to just not like something. Eddie redmayne over acts and his portrayal is not good. Plenty of people agree and that’s ok. It’s ok to say something isn’t good. That someone, despite putting their best effort in to something fell short. That’s life. His performance is panned by most because it’s not that great especially compared to what we’ve already seen that has made it such a huge production in the past.
THIS! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
All iterations of the Cabaret M.C. have been kind of creepy. I guess people are deciding which kind of creepy they like. I am an old man so I remember seeing the movie Cabaret in the theater. So unsurprisingly I like the Joel Grey take the best. The movie also used mirrors showing the audience at the beginning and end. At the beginning the mirror only reflected one Nazi in uniform in the audience. At the end over half of the audience are Nazis. Very powerful.
That was the original stage opening and closing as well.
Felllow old person here. Although my introduction to the show was via Joel and Liza, Alan remains my fave Emcee. It's as if he's creepily luring me into being okay with what is happening. I saw him in '98 and was immediately intrigued. Not as cheerful (?) as Joel; not as 'psychotic' ( I've only seen the Tony bit ) as Eddie. I'm a huge history nerd so of course this is such a different view of the madness occurring at that time.
The fact this revival (and thus this discourse) is tied to drag race (Marcia Marcia Marcia plays bobbie and understudys the Emcee) Kayla can never not be even six degrees separated from drag race
no literally drag race and dance moms will follow me until I die
wait this is crazy news now i want to see Marcia Marcia Marcia understudy!
Marcia x3 plays Victor, not Bobby.....
@mrkenny83 You know, there’s really only one way to tell the difference…
@@mrkenny83 oop your so correct
If you go to KitKat in Berlin, they’ll also make you cover your camera with a sticker because most people are very unclothed there (though most Berlin will make you cover your cameras).
I’ve watched Cabaret at the theatre I work at in Leipzig, Germany over a dozen times this year. The theme of this last season was about how preventing history from repeating itself needs to begin today. I think the staging winds up being different for a German audience because there isn’t a need for any kind of subtlety. At the end of the play, the Emcee comes out in a N*zi-esque uniform, complete with an armband. And I find it powerful because the emcee is so charming and even tells off one of the n*zis during the show, but then becomes one in the end. You spent two and half hours being charmed by someone who defends the targeted groups, only to see this person become the thing they supposedly hate, which I think works really well for a German audience.
On an unrelated note, we sang “Tomorrow Belongs to Me” in my high school choir but without any context and I find that to be such a weird choice to this day. I’ve been keeping that in for years ngl
that's insane why did your choir leader make you do that
@@ilexdiapason honestly, I have no idea. I don't think it was meant in a weird way but it was still an absolutely wild choice
well the people that NEED to see those things will never watch it ...
Makes sense to me that we need Cabarets for different times and different places. I think it should always be in production as it’s part of trying to prevent history repeating itself. With the current rise of the far right in Europe whatever resources we have to show how easy it is to slide into such extremism feel more and more necessary.
I honestly loved how much control it took Eddie to look so unhinged.
Broadway is in the pocket of big turntable 💀💀
Lin Manuel Miranda and his consequences have been a disaster to Broadway 💀
Musical theatre actors susceptible to motion sickness: I am never gonna financially recover from this
My niece works at that theatre and she says Redmayne is wonderful on and off the stage. She says he’s really nice and works really hard
my partner and i have been discussing this ever since the tony awards happened. and honestly, we both really appreciated his portrayal of emcee. not saying we liked it or disliked it, but seeing new interpretations of characters that have been around for a really long time is always amazing. and that's the entire point of theater. this was a revival. not a remake. it wasn't meant to be a carbon copy of every other production.
Does that make sense? i've probably worded this weirdly.
My partner and I have had almost exactly the same conversation over the past week!
It always amuses me how self-conscious people can be even in a comments section. You didn't word it weirdly, it made perfect sense
Not mentioning Joel Grey feels like a disservice to the discourse. As much as people love Alan Cumming and Sam Mendes' version to essentially suggest by omission that no one now remembers/cares about the original, iconic performance, particularly the one that was immortalized on film, is odd.
Agree!
Cummings’s performance is remembered by a tiny fraction of the number of people who remember Grey’s
Cabaret was performed for like a decade before Fosse. Joel Grey's performance isn't the original performance, just the film performance.
@@WhatdidtheCountessdoJoel Grey IS the original performance on Broadway too!
@@CarlosASainzCaccia I thought Martin Ross preceded Joel Grey, my bad.
"and they're probably thinking of Moulin Rouge or Chicago" 🤣 lmaooo dyinggg this is so true lmaoo
I found Eddie's portrayal disturbing and weird (in a good way), which is a must for this character. I mean, if you're not off-putting, you're doing it wrong. However, Alan Cumming added that overt sexuality, which added an extra layer of disturbing for me. It was just so dirty, for lack of a better word, and I prefer that artistic choice when portraying the Weimar republic and the rise of Naziism. It's just personal preference.
eddie redmayne discourse as an eddie redmayne fan always makes me nervous
We do not play about Eddie Redmayne 💯
I sold him a ticket once when I was working at an art gallery. More gorgeous in real life and also extremely lovely and polite
same here, lol. But its all okay 😄 at least there are still some reasonable people out there! i was anxious about all the wild opinions, good and bad. But thankfuly im calm now
Same 😭
Yes I really need to believe in at least 1 man in the world. Eddie is it for me
My husband played in pit orchestra for a local theatre production of Cabaret around the same time as the Tree of Life synagogue shooting. Opening night was 3 days after. This show will always be relevant
right now as well with what's happening with Palestine. I wasn't familiar with the plot of cabaret until now but yeah it hasn't left my mind since I learned about it.
Definitely an interesting time for it to be performed
Im glad you mentioned the mirrors! It's a technique from the orignal production that was used for that exact effect of reminding the audience of their complicity in rising fascism. I find it somewhat upsetting that people seem to be critiical of Cabaret being too on the nose when its always been that way. Very intentionally Brechtian.
Also, Cliff was never really that central in the traditional sense. Cliff always gets ovwrlooked bc he doesn’t sing, and Sally + Emcee get all the popular songs that people remember. But hes not really supposed to be the central character; hes the narrator. Like, it shows his journey through it all too, but just not with song, or at least not the popular songs. Fraulein Schneider's songs where she sings to Cliff reveal a lot about him too, but that gets overlooked. Its the unfortunate byproduct of how musicals are consumed by the general public, so it makes sense why people would feel like he gets sidelined. But an invalid argument imo.
When I was 17 we did Cabaret at my college. I played Frauline Schneider the landlady of the boarding house where Sally and Cliff lived. I got to do a solo, and two duets, one was the pineapple song, we just got a quick snap of it in there. Thanks, every time I get a pineapple and watching that takes me back to over half a lifetime ago.
“For the sun will shine and the moon will set, and you learn how to settle for what you get, it will all go on if we’re here on not so who cares so vat?”
I did a great German accent (an imitation of my holocaust surviving grandmother) It was a fun experience esp on my off night bc I got to be an extra in the club. I’m glad you got to see it, even if it was from the rafters.
Good for you! She was the best character in the show. I'm sure you did great
What is killing me is that all this discourse, all this "here's my hot take" and "hello, I'm Terminally Online Numbnuts and I'm auditioning for the part of Hit-Tweet-Maker" and at the end of the day, the damn musical is about the rise in fascism and totalitarianism as you said, made in a time when artists and creatives made that kind of stuff, and right now at this moment, the clickity-clackers on their keyboards can type essays about how a musical performance ick'd them and is therefore definitely Bad while they are happily The Audience in Cabaret! Here to be entertained and turn a blind eye to what's happening globally-which they're complicit in!! It's like critiquing the food spread at a funeral service. They are looking everywhere but at the body at the end of the room.
“Broadway is in the pocket of Big Turntable.” 😂
And nobody is talking about it! Until now!
4:35 I don’t know about yall but I think Alan Cumming’s pose a few seconds after this could be interpreted as a swastika. Just something I noticed
Cabaret is needed more so than ever. Slowly and steadily we are slipping closer to facism, it’s sweeping across Europe. Rome wasn’t built in a day, the n@zis didn’t just turn up out of nowhere, they were and still are very popular, their ideology is still popular.
Go touch grass.
@@collindysart6472 You are aware of European electorial results though? Their statement isn't wrong.
look outside your window. it has been going on for years @@collindysart6472
@@collindysart6472 are you not aware of the global political situation? @mystic_mimi21 is right, the far right is getting worryingly stronger accross various continents.
@@byungbin1395Yes. You’re the fascist.
The mirror was from the original Broadway production!
I’m deeply passionate about Cabaret. It’s far and away my favorite musical because it moved me and affected me in such a profound way. For me, the best emcee is always always gonna be Joel Grey. But I’ve never seen one I disliked. I haven’t seen Eddie because, regrettably, I don’t live anywhere near broadway, but from what I’ve seen I appreciate his take and what he’s doing. I get why people found Alan Cumming so much more palatable, but that’s what’s great about the emcee. He’s so mysterious and ethereal that it isn’t even clear if he’s a real person or just a concept. I think they should revive Cabaret a million times. I don’t know anyone in my life who has seen it except the people I forced to watch the film with me, and I think it’s so crucial, especially now, that people see it. I don’t think anything new necessarily has to be said. That being said, I think the argument that cliff isn’t getting enough to do does kinda feel like you aren’t that familiar with the musical. Cliff is technically the main character but he’s a boring every man. He’s the audience surrogate. The audience experiences the Kit Kat Club and Sally through his eyes. That’s his whole purpose. The only defining characteristic he has is he’s American and he hates fascism. And honestly I’ve always found that problematic that the only American in the show is the one true hero who stands up to nazis and leaves before shit gets really real. But it was written at a different time when that America-centric view was prevalent. The only massive change I would make to Cabaret, if change had to be made, would be to recharacterize Cliff to be a little more flawed
What good is tweeting alone in your room? Come hear the music play...
I saw cabaret in London waaaay back in the early 2000s and the ending number was performed with the chorus dancers completely nude, going from sexy nightclub performers to concentration camp prisoners. It was heavy but really unique and powerful.
I saw that on tour. It was an incredible production.
My question is how many people that dislike Eddie’s performance of the emcee saw the original film version with Joel Grey? I feel like so many modern musical theater fans just know about Alan Cumming’s seductive, decadent take on the role that seeing one that’s so uncanny and mechanical throws them off what they know, like Eddie mentioned that Joel Grey was an influence to him in this role so his emcee borrows a lot from him which makes sense (edit: because Eddie’s mannerisms remind me so much of how I felt watching the movie with Joel and it made me feel on edge which works with the show)
I love how u do actual investigation for your videos, like not only are you going to discuss a topic you’re going to go and physically experience it in order to make a deep and well rounded video- so good.
it's called interpretation ya'll are so caught up in the Alan comparison just chillllll
Shoutout for using Jane horrocks audio for the outro, possibly the most controversial Sally Bowles ever
Why was her performance controversial?
She’s my favourite Sally Bowles
I loved her performance!
she’s my favorite sally!
@@froginaclogsince no one else has responded to you yet I’ll just give you the run down lol. Jane’s interpretation of Sally was a lot more abrasive and manic as well as purposely giving a more rough around the edges vocal delivery as opposed to Liza’s more polished world class delivery (Because when you’re Liza fucking Minnelli how can you not? Lmao) and some people were put off by this probably expecting the 90’s version Sally to fall more in line of Liza’s interpretation of the character.
My problem with this version is that the Kit Kat Klub is supposed to be some seedy nightclub, and this one has its performers dressed is glitzy, expensive outfits for every number. It looks more like a modern drag show than a 30's nightclub. They miss the point from the very conception.
Exactly.
as someone who had to watch the Jane horrocks production with Alan Cumming on CZcams for my theater class in HS during the pandemic, I really appreciate you approaching this topic with class. While I grew up listening to the Liza Minnelli and Joel grey cabaret soundtrack and watched the movie when it was playing on TCM in High school, people are expecting a whole copy paste production of Joel grey and Liza Minnelli but in reality, it’s not going to be the same and that’s completely okay. While Sally is my dream role, I want to add in my own comments with the Cabaret discourse and say that while I understand people have their own personal reasons to dislike Eddie Redmayne, they need to know that every actor who has played the Emcee will put their own twist on it! The whole message of Cabaret is basically a way to distract people from the horrors of the world around them until we realize that it’s too late and we’ll later get what’s coming to us no matter if we’re complicit or not. I also want to point out that while I didn’t watch the Tony awards as I didn’t feel like ethically supporting the show, the wilkommen performance wasn’t that bad because to me, Eddie was giving joker meets art the clown vibes and I thought it was perfect! If people want an upbeat cabaret styled show then they can go watch moulin rouge because they seem to mix up Cabaret with Chicago. 🤷🏽♀️
Ooh, Joker meets Art the Clown, I like that.
REVISED REUPLOAD LETS FUCKING GO🗣️🔥🔥🔥
I don’t relate to people who dislike theater/musical revivals for being different from the original (or some older version) because that seems like the point of live performances, to me. But I can understand in a way, if you really love some other version it might be disappointing that you’re not able to see it again. I just wish people weren’t so rude about their opinions, like people take the “let me be a hater” thing too far by being incredibly mean and say awful things about *real people* in a public space, rather than just stating their opinions or even just hating privately.
I said this before in another video: the main issue was the way that freaking number that went viral was filmed.
And also, judging two minutes of his whole performance is unfair. We would need to watch the whole show in order to see what the intention of changing the character's demeanor (from the ones we already know) was.
Eddie Redmayne is a great actor, he may do things differently in this production but you cannot deny he's so talented.
I got to see Cabaret a few weeks ago and a thought it was interesting. I think Eddys performance is closer to the Original performance by Joel Grey. Allen Cummings performance was very much a departure from the original production. So it’s funny that people always compare Emcees performance to Cumming when in reality, Redmanyes performance more closely align to Kander and Ebbs original intentions…
"broadway is in the pocket of big turn table." when i say i scream-laughed.
this. sent. me.
girl why do u keep deleting your videos 😭 stand on business! (im jkn)
Proud to say I was one of those lucky people they pulled onto stage to dance with the cast. Granted, I watched the show when both Eddie and Gayle were out so tickets were cheaper enough for me to consider dropping the money ($220 compared to the usual $600). Most I've ever spent on a Broadway ticket, but at least it was a one in a lifetime experience. I don't know how they choose which audience member to pull to the stage, but I'm assuming the cast base it on vibes like if you seem like you're having fun they'll pull you up.
so they don’t get consent?
@@MsJaytee1975 I mean you can say no if you want to. They'd probably just choose someone next to you
"is this where they sell the kitkats?"
"i'm gonna kill you."
"oh."
Just saw it last week. Eddie was AMAZING. PPL RELAX
in terms of the mirror being held up to the audience, I think it happens after "If You Could See Her" when the audience is laughing at the gorilla sequence and all of a sudden that line of the end of the song is dropped and its a shocking twist, the way the theatre is set up so that people on both sides of the stage are meant to look at each other makes you notice the people opposite you. we've all just been laughing at this gorilla and the emcee and now we feel guilty
eddie is sooo gooood. saw it twice.....brilliant.
The current Mexico City production has the big mirror. It was my first time seeing a live production of Cabaret and I found it to be a very effective element, considering the theme of the show.
Editing to add that Emcee is being played by a woman here, but she is made to look very androgynous, which I also found to be a very interesting choice for a modern production (in a good way).
Oh yeah I’ve seen clips of her being played by a lady and she doesn’t seem that bad.
Joel Gray did an amazing job in the movie riding that line of being in the nightlife while still letting Nazi ideology seep into his characterization as the movie goes on.
This is my first glimpse of Redmayne's Emcee, he's graceful and creepy and perfect. Have people never heard of Joel Grey? If anything, it's too close to that, but still unique.
I feel that Eddie Redmayne in regards to everything except for his costume is an exaggerated rip off on Joel Grey. Like an outright parody. I’ve seen countless productions of Cabaret and this production takes from other productions, especially when it comes to Sam Mendes’s vision. This production never would’ve happened if it wasn’t for Sam Mendes. Prior to his version, there was no push to reinvent the MC. The MC was defined a creepy clownish one man Greek chorus that wore heavy make up and a tailcoat. No one tried to change that because no one thought to prior to Mendes and in my opinion, after being a dedicated fan to Cabaret for 16 years of my life, it is impossible to come up with a truly original concert for the MC. Just wait till the replacements come for Eddie Redmayne and you’ll see a lot more Joel Grey with some hints of Alan Cumming because that’s what the majority of Eddie Redmanye replacements on the West End have done.
I saw it this week and I was blown away. The artistry from Eddie was intense. He definitely made me feel joy, fear, laughter, pain, and suffering. I was completely engrossed the entire time. Gayle was incredible too. Strong, fierce, feminine yet masculine. Her voice is haunting and incredible. I didn’t know what the show was before I saw it so I was in shock and horror when I realized it was about Nazi Germany. The message was strong. The music was incredible. I felt like I was in a burlesque club. My troubles were left at the door and life was beautiful.
I recently watched a mini doc on the history of cabaret and it was really interesting, it covered it from the original short stories to the Liza Minnelli movie version. Of course it made the algorithm send me everything cabaret afterwards and just yesterday and today I saw a couple clips of Eddie Redmayne with no context (I didn’t realize it was being staged again) and the comments were kind of unhinged and nasty. I’m so interested to see what you have to say about this because I am lost.
Like without context I thought his version fit with what the story of cabaret at its core is? It’s a different version for sure but it didn’t feel out of place with what the character is a supposed to represent in the play.
Edit: the Doc was by Matt Baum here on YT if anyone is interested
This was the highlight of my trip in NYC. Eddie Redmayne's performance was spectacular! I loved how he added his quirkiness to the character. I also admired his vocal range. It was amazing how he could sing with an accent.
And it was such a bonus when he came out after the show and signed autographs. ❤
I honestly truly believe that people actually don’t understand what Cabaret is about…but eddie’s performance was INCREDIBLE and just deeply unsettling (as its supposed to be!) and im kinda obsessed
to add to your final point: i think people on the internet also need to separate disliking something with it then being objectively bad (and vice versa.) of course, that's not to discourage anyone from critiquing art, but sometimes it's not so much the quality of the art but your personal taste. there's a lot of grey area here, I know, but if people weren't so hellbent on PROVING their opinion is right when it comes to art I think we would all be a little bit more chill.
They give you a sticker to put on your phone's camera... like every club in Berlin.
Eddie Redmayne is the bees knees and he does a great job.
My favorite fact about cabaret, is that the actual real life inspiration for Sally was a ardent communist who resented the apolitical nature of her portrayal.
hbomberguy reference ❗❗
Not a musical girlie but I'm glad you said something about "why bring this musical about fascism back if there is nothing new about it." Daily we as Americans are witnessing our government cause a genocide in Palestine, force Christianity into our public schools, kill non- white people without repercussion, and try to erase LGBTQ+ people. We are living in a moment in time where fascism is somewhat the reality, but to not make any new commentary on that is an *interesting* choice (and not a good one imo).
Well, you just convinced me to watch Cabaret. Also, as a fellow bi girl with a straight male partner, that clip of your bf in the theater with you making the Kit Kat Club joke had such “straight bf of a bi girl” energy that it made me laugh out loud. My husband was like, “That sounds like something I would say.” Lmfaooo
"straight bf of a bi girl energy" is my new favourite.
signed, bi girl with a straight husband.
Im loving the reuploads(genuine)
Im going through a very hard time right now and your videos have helped me so much! Love everything you’ve been putting out lately 🩷
Usher from the Wilson Here:
Great video!! The shots at the door are Schnapps … it’s a choice
Do they have a non-alcoholic version?
Im impressed that they somehow managed to give us a tame eddie redmayne performance.
Please mention Joel Grey's performance
He wasn't just another Emcee
He was THE EMCEE in the movie!!!
And at the very end of the show, it wasn't the way the musical ended, if anything, the movie ending was a lot darker and a lot creepier.
They don't show Emcee in the uniform that Alan Cummings Emcee was showed in, they just show the audience and then you realize what is gonna happen after the movie ends.
Eddie's performance is close like Joel's performance, but very original in a movement
I love this movie and the musical
I believe swastika thing is not noticable in the live show, it happens too fast. The only reason it was noticed now because it captured on camera and you can rewatch it over and over again.
We watched last month and the performance of Eddie is astonishing! Like te rest of the cast it's a superb production
I’m not really a musical guy, I didn’t know anything about Cabaret. I went to the show with my boyfriend and it was amazing! Loved the pre show and actual show. I haven’t seen other versions so I can’t compare
I got pulled up on stage but had no idea it would happen lol... it was crazy to see the audience from that perspective and definitely opened my view of the partying at the end of the world theme that was present
OMG, you got it. It's not you liked it, it's not you hate it, it's you have an emotional response to it. Art is subjective. Great video.
They will never make me hate you eddie
That performance by Eddie was captivating AF! Incredible.
13:22 minutes and not a peep about Christopher Isherwood’s semi-autobiographical book “Goodbye to Berlin”; John Van Druten’s play, “I Am a Camera”, or the incomparable, Joel Grey.
I was privileged to see Joel Grey (the Tony and Oscar winning OG Emcee) in the first revival of Cabaret in the late 1980's. I believe that the issue started when the Emcee went from a supporting, observing player to a star turn. It throws off the balance of the show. This is not to discredit those performers who have played the Emcee after Grey, it isn't their fault. My heart sinks watching Cliff's (I think they may have even renamed the character by now) role and perspective get smaller and smaller with each revival. But then again, I also wish the song "Goodtime Charley" had stayed in the show so what do I know?
Haven’t watched yet, but I’ve SEEN this and I’m so f-ing ready
Fucking loved this production of cabaret. Got the $80 table seating and it was so fucking cool especially for that price. Eddy and Gayle were both on
Thank u for putting Jane Horrock's version at the end of your video, an icon that isnt spoken enough about
12:49 and they're names are: Joel Grey, Allan Cumming and Eddie Redmayne
America hates when there are adaptations of things instead of just replica performances. We refuse to reinterpret any of our stage plays.
Why would people hate Eddie wtf
He’s “weird” by normie standards and I think some chronically online people never really forgave him for being in the Danish Girl(?) lol I think he’s fine tho
@@CaulkMongler"forgave him for being in the danish girl" ? Why would he need forgiveness?
@@teddieprox2307 because he's a cis actor who played a trans person, but everyone forgets that at the time this was the only rep trans people got, and I'm pretty sure Eddie already has made a statement about how if it were today he wouldn't have taken the role
Literally most good actors have some kind of role like that is their discography, especially if a certain age when it was unheard of to have actual trans people get trans roles, but a lot of people don't want to be willing to understand that times were not like they were now (and the Danish Girl wasn't even that long ago too, there's be a lot of fast change with trans roles and actors)
@Starburst514 As a trans person myself, I don't see the problem of an actor taking a trans role today tbh. I understand that we need more trans people on screen, but if we start policing who qualifies for a trans role, I think we'll just end up with another kit connor situation
@@Starburst514 kinda like people who whine about brokeback mountain
Thank you, thank you for this video. Im a huge Eddie Redmayne fan, i had the oportunity to see this version in April , and i enjoyed it.
And this last week has been..... overwhelming , with too many dramatic opinions, but your video was very middle headed and resonable. it was good ❤👌i liked how you talked about it and the points you mentioned.
I hate you so much for getting to see Bebe Neuwirth while I'm stuck in the south,haha. So jealous! Redmayne is cool, but Neuwirth is fucking Broadway royalty!!! Though I will say, a friend of mine shot a movie around here with Redmayne and he was the sweetest, kindest man, so I love that he's getting good reviews in this. Genuine man.
Not liking Eddie Redmayne is a red flag to me. He's an amazing actor and seems to be a very sweet man and i'm willing to go to war over this man that does not know that i exist, so fight me 🤣🤣🤣
So am I lol. I don't know him but I heard from someone else and he sounds wonderful and very caring, and this seems in line with the way his cast and colleagues on Cabaret post about him!
‘I’m prepared to attack marginalised people who object to harm being done to their community because my favourite celebrity is the bestest’
Is what you sound like.
Redmayne seems decent enough, but he has done legitimate harm to marginalised groups, attacking people for criticising him compounds that harm.
While people are allowed to have their opinions and share them - I do wish people would also realize that their opinion isn't always _...needed_ or wanted. I wish people would from time to time ask themselves "Does this bring anything worth bringing into the conversation or indeed the world? Is this constructive?"
If I just don't like a certain actor no matter what they do, sure I'm entitled to my opinion, but does that need to be vocally expressed especially on the internet? If I have no actual critique or reason that they could take to grow or something?
Yeah, just say "that actor isn't my cup of tea".
And yes, I do actually do the above things myself! I sometimes just delete a comment without posting it if I realise it's really giving nothing but maybe negativity.
Is this where they sell the kit-kats?
Saw this in London. Subject matter and performance is sinister, as it should be. The last scene is stunning and you will never forget.
Ahh I was trying to comment when the first upload was taken down! So, I wasn’t sure about the Tony performance but realized I do have bias towards the Sam Mendez production. But I’ll be damned that I keep rewatching the Tony performance so they’ve subtly lured me in.
I don’t think I’ll be able to see the show, though, since they canceled the performance I was scheduled for and I can’t do another date as of now.
Seen it twice on West End both times got table seats and must say, soooo worth the price! Last time was this Wednesday and I love seeing different interpretations of the roles. Jake Shears was my favourite Emcee of the two but both were fabulous. The last guy we saw Toby Turpin, he was also very impressive, he was very tall which gave him this really frightening looming quality in the second act!
Cant wait to go again!
That’s reminds me of people hating on David Bowie’s version of Kurt Weill’s “Alabama Song” because it’s “too weird” and not similar to the more generic rendition made by The Doors.
another day another kayla says slay
Great commentary
I’m currently playing Sally in a production in LA and I agree completely!
I wonder for the next revival of the show (which is bound to happen) if that director will take on the task of truly refreshing it in a way that will satisfy us who hold this show so dearly.
Love all your vids btw ❤️
how r yall even catching the first uploads omg
I’ve seen many different casts in London and hence many versions of Emcee. For me, Emcee has to be fun but also super unsettling.
I went in completely blind having 0 idea about the play and from the first sec I saw Emcee, I loved him and clapped hard etc but felt uncomfortable. Then when tomorrow belongs to me was sang, GOOSEBUMPS! From then, he was just out right scary. Shout out to Jake Shear for being the absolute best!!
With that being said, I have always loved Eddie Redmayne’s acting and I completely expected this exact way of performing so loving it!
I love that you made a video on this!
I'm so lucky to have seen Alan Cumming and will go into Eddy's with an open mind.
Girl not me watching the video and the first thing I ask myself wen I saw Alan was "girl ain't that nightcrawler?"😂
I know nothing of cabaret or broadway really so I appreciate your breakdown, great video!
This was one of your best works and commentaries. Unfortunately, this story is timeless.
love your theater videos!