He's in negotiations to play the role of the Emcee in Cabaret.
Baz Bamigboye revealed in his article that "Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne
is close to fulfilling his dream... of playing the decadent master of
ceremonies
in the classic musical Cabaret in the West End. And he is tipped to share
the stage with Jessie Buckley, who will play Sally Bowles."
The new production of Cabaret is due to begin performances at the
Playhouse Theatre, near the Embankment in London, in early November.
Read more about the new theatre project
here
Hopefully, I'll have a good reason to travel to London this fall.
I have to see him on stage in this role. I bet he will be fantastic.
Eddie played the role of Emcee in Cabaret first in 1999 in Eton. James Parry
reviewed
performance but despite the outstanding quality on display, one actor still
stood out
head and shoulders above the rest. This was, of course, Eddie Redmayne whose
performance in every respect was sensational. He was the master of
ceremonies of the
Kit-Kat bar and this title could not have been more apt. Eddie really did
run the show;
One could feel the audience focus even more as they found themselves
captivated
by this truly mesmerizing acting. Eddie held the audience in his hands,
almost literally.
His singing was incredible, as usual, but he also showed his flexibility and
immense
skill as an actor as he adapted to a difficult and demanding role. With an
actor of this
caliber in the house, it would, however, be difficult not to produce an
excellent play."
Eddie also played this role 20 years ago at the Edinburgh Fringe. The show was
performed
by Doubled Edged Drama, a production company with links to Eton, Eddie’s
former school.
Ed Bartlam, director of the Underbelly, said Redmayne’s Fringe performance in
Cabaret
still stuck in his head. “It was our second year at Underbelly so we were very
much
finding our feet and it was all very atmospheric. Eddie was a slightly creepy
Master of
Ceremonies in the show and would come up behind people’s backs in the audience
and
get a fantastic reaction...I still remember it as one of the best shows we
ever did." (
source)
live in Edinburgh...My grandmother’s in Liberton and the last proper musical I
did
was Cabaret. It was in the Underbelly and it was all dark and dingy. I
remember my cousin
brought my grandma to see it and we were all in latex, PVC, and masks and
there was
quite a lot of interaction. I was up in my grandma’s face and I just heard her
say ‘and when
is Eddie coming on?’ And my cousin was like ‘that’s him! The one leering in
our faces!’”
Eddie also sang some songs of Cliff from the musical in a show called
Perfectly Marvelous
Update: It's official!
The KIT KAT CLUB in London’s West End will open its doors this November with
the musical CABARET starring Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, Tony and Olivier
award winner Eddie Redmayne as ‘The Emcee’ and Bafta Nominee and British
Independent Film award winner Jessie Buckley as ‘Sally Bowles’.
Inside the Kit Kat Club, life is beautiful. The famous setting of Kander
& Ebb
and Masteroff’s musical is brought to life with a capacity of just 550, to
host
a unique production of Cabaret, the likes of which audiences will have never
experienced before.
Director Rebecca Frecknall said today “It’s such a privilege to have the
opportunity to direct Cabaret, a show that has always been dear to my heart.
It’s thrilling to be able to approach this classic and important musical at
a time
when its themes and atmosphere feel so contemporary and resonant. I’m in awe
of my incredible creative team who have come together to create a bold new
production as well as a new ‘Kit Kat Club’, a bespoke home where we can
truly embrace and unlock the world of Cabaret for a new audience”.
Dates, further details, and full casting to be announced soon.
Tickets on sale from June 28
