Walking through the entrance of the West End’s Kit Kat Club feels less like arriving at a theatre and more like discovering a hidden corner of 1930s Berlin. Beneath the streets of London, the transformed Playhouse Theatre has become an experience in its own right, guiding audiences underground into a world of dim lighting, live entertainment, and carefully curated decadence.
Before taking our seats, we were greeted with a shot of schnapps and surrounded by performers weaving through the venue. Dancers occupied every corner of the space, blurring the line between audience and performance long before the show officially began. The result is a palpable sense of anticipation that few productions achieve so effortlessly, and for a couple of hours, Cabaret offers theatre escapism at its finest.
For those considering where to sit, we opted for a last-minute upgrade from Dress Circle Row F to Stalls Row F for an additional £20 per ticket. It proved to be money well spent. With cast members regularly entering and exiting via the aisles, the stalls place you right in the heart of the action, adding another layer to the production’s immersive atmosphere.
We were fortunate enough to catch one of the first performances from Cabaret’s new leading cast members: Jamie Muscato as the Emcee (until 19 September) and Joy Woods as Sally Bowles (until 5 September).
The two performers complement each other beautifully. Jamie Muscato’s Emcee is everything the role demands. Magnetic yet unsettling, playful yet deeply sinister, he effortlessly shifts between humour and menace. His presence dominates the room from the moment he appears, drawing your attention even when chaos unfolds elsewhere on stage.
Whether he’s locking eyes with audience members or interacting with those seated at the cabaret tables, there’s an unpredictability to Muscato’s performance that keeps you constantly engaged. It’s a portrayal that feels both free and tightly controlled, capturing the character’s chaotic energy while never losing sight of the darkness simmering beneath the surface.
Opposite him, Joy Woods delivers a sensational performance as Sally Bowles. From her first appearance, Woods brings undeniable charisma and a breathtaking vocal quality to the role. Sally is often portrayed as carefree and glamorous, but Woods never allows the audience to forget the vulnerability beneath the bravado.
Her rendition of Maybe This Time beautifully balances hope, heartbreak, and reluctant optimism, creating one of the evening’s most emotionally charged moments. Yet it was Cabaret itself that completely changed my understanding of the song.
Having only ever heard the number outside the context of the show, I had always associated it with celebration and joy. Watching Woods perform it was an entirely different experience. The cracks in her voice, the emotion written across her face, and the sense of a woman desperately trying to maintain control while everything around her falls apart reveal a far deeper meaning.
Every lyric feels weighted by disappointment, pain, and denial. Sally clings to optimism while simultaneously unravelling before our eyes, and Woods captures that contradiction with remarkable precision. It’s a masterclass in storytelling through song and one of those rare performances that completely redefines a piece of theatre for you.
A truly remarkable cast
The strength of Cabaret extends far beyond its two leads. The entire company works seamlessly together to tell this haunting story, with every performance contributing to the production’s growing sense of unease. The ensemble plays a vital role in bringing the world of the Kit Kat Club to life, creating a production where no performance feels incidental.
Ruthie Henshall is particularly wonderful as Fraulein Schneider. Bringing warmth, humour, and sensitivity to the role, she creates a character that is impossible not to root for. Her beautifully delicate vocals and natural comedic timing make her scenes some of the most affecting in the production.
Baker Mukasa delivers a strong performance as Clifford Bradshaw. As one of the more reserved figures within the story, Clifford can sometimes be overshadowed by the larger personalities around him, yet Mukasa ensures he remains an important emotional anchor throughout.
There’s a gentleness to his portrayal that makes Clifford easy to connect with, particularly in his relationship with Sally. At the same time, Mukasa effectively navigates the character’s moments of frustration and anger as the world around him begins to shift, revealing a growing sense of unease beneath his calm exterior. It’s a measured performance that quietly helps ground the production’s more dramatic moments.
Lucas Koch is equally impressive as Ernst Ludwig. For much of the show, he projects an easy charm that makes the character likeable, especially for first-time viewers unfamiliar with where the story is heading. That familiarity makes his true nature all the more unsettling.
As Ernst’s allegiances become clear, Koch reveals a wickedness and hatred that feels genuinely chilling to witness. Much of that shift is communicated through subtle changes in his performance and a single badge that suddenly tells the audience everything they need to know. It’s a haunting reminder of how easily prejudice can hide behind an ordinary face.
Visual storytelling at its finest
One of the most striking aspects of this production is its visual storytelling.
The costumes do far more than establish period and personality. As the story progresses, they become a powerful reflection of the changing world around the characters. The bold, flamboyant costumes of the Kit Kat Club initially celebrate individuality, freedom, and self-expression. Yet as the political landscape darkens, these vibrant looks gradually give way to muted beige and grey tones. The contrast is impossible to ignore.
This transformation isn’t conveyed through costume alone. It’s reflected in the lighting, staging, and even the shifting mannerisms of the cast. A world bursting with personality slowly gives way to one defined by conformity and the loss of identity. It’s truly haunting to witness.
Without needing to say a word, the production’s visual design reinforces one of its most devastating themes. As colour fades and expression is gradually stripped away, the warning at the heart of Cabaret becomes impossible to ignore.
Final thoughts
Cabaret remains one of the most immersive theatrical experiences London has to offer, but what makes this production truly exceptional is the way it balances spectacle with substance.
The evening begins with music, dancing, and the seductive glamour of the Kit Kat Club. Yet by the final curtain, that sense of whimsy has been replaced by something far more unsettling. Watching pride, freedom, and self-expression gradually give way to fear, hatred, and conformity creates an emotional journey that is difficult to shake. I left feeling reflective, unsettled, and unexpectedly emotional.
Jamie Muscato and Joy Woods bring fresh energy to this acclaimed production, while the wider company delivers performances of remarkable consistency and depth. Together, they create a Cabaret that is both entertaining and deeply thought-provoking.
This isn’t simply a trip to the theatre. It’s an experience that lingers long after you’ve climbed back up from the Kit Kat Club and into the streets of London.
Kelsey Haslam is the founding editor of Magenta Adventures Travel Publication and a freelance travel writer with a focus on community-based travel, culture-led experiences, and theatre tourism. She is passionate about spotlighting lesser-known destinations and connecting travellers with meaningful, human-centred stories.
Her published work includes destination features and luxury hotel reviews for leading travel outlets such as A Luxury Travel Blog, Beau Monde Traveler, and Luxury Lifestyle Magazine.
Explore more about Kelsey’s background on the About Page.
