Shocking revelations: 'Cabaret' illuminates the dark past!

Shocking revelations: 'Cabaret' illuminates the dark past!

Weimar, Deutschland - The revival of "Cabaret" in the Guthrie Theater causes a good sensation. This unforgettable musical, which made its debut on Broadway in 1966, illuminates the creeping rise of totalitarianism in Berlin in the 1930s, and the current staging shows the play from its shocking and at the same time captivating side. Star Tribune emphasizes that the confrontative performance requires a sensitive hand, especially when it comes to the Nazi ideology symbolic representations.

A particularly painful moment arises with the unveiling of the swastika, which is reinforced by the slow, obedient salute of the rainbow ensemble. In this respect, the performances of the duet "IF You Could See" between the charismatic Emcee and a dancer in the Gorilla costume are disturbing because they actively capture dehumanization during the rise of fascism. So the darkening of human values ​​in the face of totalitarianism becomes more than clear.

Development of the characters

The plot follows the American writer Clifford Bradshaw, who travels to Berlin to find inspiration for his novel. On his train journey he meets the open -minded seriousness, who welcomes him in the famous Kit Kat Club and closes new acquaintances in nightlife. Cliff and the performative Sally Bowles have a complex and quite passionate romance, while another narrator's voice illuminates the relationship between Fraulein Schneider, the owner of the boarding house, and the Jewish tenant Mr. Schultz. However, what looks like a glorious future is threatened by serious nature when it reveals himself and Fraulein Schneider warns of marriage to Mr. Schultz, which is a dramatic turning point. The Fordham Political Review indicates that the characters show different reactions to the impending authoritarian trends, which not only reflects their individual fates, but also that of society.

An emotional highlight in the staging is the party by Miss Schneider, played by Michelle Barber, and her burgeoning feelings for Mr. Schulz. Here, too, the duo Auberjonois and Barber with the passionate song "It Couldn’t please me more".

artistic design and social context

The stage design of Marion William's shape, in the form of increased wagons, takes on an image of the red light environment. In addition there are the glittering costumes of Jen Caprio and the extraordinary lighting design of Josh Epstein. The musical accompaniment of Mark Hartman's orchestra underlines the drama of the scenes and creates a dense atmosphere. As explained bpb.de, the music often plays a decisive role in authoritarian systems and reflected musical trends, which in dictatorships such as National Socialism or the GDR prevailed.

The examination of the music and its complementary role in dystopian regimes remains an important topic that is also relevant in the current discussion about authoritarian government, as the example of Donald Trump shows. Education and active action against such tendencies are therefore essential in order not to repeat history.

The performance of "Cabaret" in the Guthrie Theater is not only a captivating theater experience, but also a profound examination of the dangers of authoritarian thinking, which are relevant both yesterday and today.