Podcast Summary: MickeyJoTheatre — "Mickey-Jo saw Matt Willis and Katie Hall in CABARET | thoughts on the musical revival's new West End cast"

Host: MickeyJoTheatre
Date: February 21, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Mickey Jo returns with a detailed review of the West End revival of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, focusing on the arrival of the new leading cast: Matt Willis as the Emcee (MC) and Katie Hall as Sally Bowles. As a repeat attendee—having seen the show over a dozen times—Mickey Jo discusses how this current cast shapes the production, provides insights into creative elements, and evaluates the performers’ interpretations in the context of the show's enduring and evolving impact.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Impact of the Production & Staging

• Creativity & Direction: The production, led by director Rebecca Frecknell and designer Tom Scutt, is praised for constant reinvention and layered nuance. Even with multiple viewings, Mickey Jo notices new details, especially in Julia Cheng's choreography.
  Notable Insight: “There is almost always something new for me to interpret or discover or realize or take away from each repeat visit…” (02:15)
• Choreographic Modernity: The use of Vogue-inspired and anachronistic dance in a 1930s Berlin setting creates a meaningful duality—both a historical time capsule and a contemporary societal mirror.

  “It has always been a version of Cabaret which can look both like a time capsule of the era… and a mirror held up to… society… currently shifting steadily and dangerously back towards fascism.” (03:24)

2. Matt Willis as the MC

• Background: Former Busted and McBusted member; has a legitimate background in theatre.
• Performance Analysis:
  • Avoids “stunt casting” pitfalls by truly understanding the material.
  • His MC is “brilliant”—one of London’s best in recent years, comparable to Rob Madge, Mason Alexander Park, and Eddie Redmayne.
  • Not a radical reinvention but a sharp and menacing take, channeling energy reminiscent of Orville Peck’s Broadway MC.
  • Noted for immersive theatricality, complex physicality, and “haunted marionette” physical transformation (a la Eddie Redmayne’s Tony Awards performance).
  • Adds a distinct, almost rock-edged vocal quality.

  “Matt Willis is brilliant as the MC, a real top tier MC… At no instant does this feel like a pop performer coming back to the stage.” (07:41) “There’s some sense of menace about him beneath the joker-esque smile…also something almost self-sacrificing in his characterization.” (09:18)

• Musical & Dance Skills: Stands out as an MC who can truly dance and delivers a unique, raspy vocal performance.

  “It’s one of the first times in a while that I’ve really noticed an MC who can really dance… The vocal performance…is brilliant.” (10:24)

3. Katie Hall as Sally Bowles

• Background: Known for Fantine (West End, Les Misérables), Cosette (25th Anniversary Concert with Nick Jonas), Christine Daaé (Phantom 25th Anniversary Tour).
• Vocal Performance: Delivers a “pristine” soprano, yet introduces grit for Sally’s more raw nightclub moments.
• Characterization:
  • Portrays Sally as “a rich, white, blonde [woman]…upper middle class,” leaning into the character’s naivety rather than crafting her as duplicitous or streetwise.
  • Brings believable, nuanced innocence yet leaves room for development towards authentic darkness as Sally’s story turns tragic.

  “She is, I think, the more traditional route into the character where the naivety…comes from a perceived background of wealth.” (14:08) “Her singing…is absolutely pristine…But in her nightclub scenes…she definitely adds in more of a layer of grit.” (13:42) “Over time…she’ll be able to bring in more layers of complexity… I felt like that final moment of her character arc arrived a little abruptly.” (17:34)

4. Supporting Cast Impressions

• Cliff (Baker Makassar): Portrayed as lively and potentially coded as queer, but with some disconnect in romantic chemistry with Katie Hall’s Sally.

  “He plays a fascinating Cliff who you could definitely interpret as simply being gay all the while, but…fascinated by Sally Bowles.” (19:49)

• Fraulein Schneider (Ruthie Henshall): Legendary West End performer, brings animation and vibrancy to a notoriously dejected character.

  “She’s still doing really great work, bringing…diva presence… Any day you get to experience Ruthie Henschel singing Kander and Ebb is a great day in your life.” (20:27)

• Herr Schultz (Robert Hands): Brings fresh compassion and complexity, especially in silent moments following anti-Semitic violence.
• Ernst Ludwig (Lucas Koch): Stands out for youthful naivety, making the eventual Nazi turn more shocking and tragic.

  “He feels very much like a foolish young man who has been deceived into believing that the Nazi party are truly going to be the builders of the new Germany.” (22:26)

• ‘If You Could See Her’ Gorilla Performer: Humor lands but punchline delicately handled by Matt Willis so as to prevent accidental laughter at the show’s darkest satirical moments.

  “There is a real danger in getting so many laughs from that song…Matt Willis walks this tightrope so well.” (23:52)

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Cabaret’s enduring impact:
  “Cabaret is at its most effective and successful when it can really land and deliver impact and shock.” (01:35)
• On the creative vision:
  “Rebecca Frecknell’s direction… Tom Scutt’s design… is so rich and so nuanced and so layered and so thoughtful.” (02:24)
• Matt Willis as MC:
  “Matt Willis is brilliant as the MC, a real top tier MC…one of the best MCs that London has seen in the last half a decade.” (10:42)
• Comparing Sallys (Katie Hall):
  “There have also been actresses who are not necessarily singers first, who have also given some of the most memorable performances of Sally Bowles… Katie, as you would expect, goes the route of glorious singing.” (13:47)
• On Ruthie Henshall as Fraulein Schneider:
  “The most triumphant moment of her arc…is somewhere between a bloodcurdling scream and a defiant growl. It’s fantastic.” (21:16)
• On Ernst Ludwig’s transformation:
  “It’s probably the first time I’ve ever walked out of a production of Cabaret and…said to myself, wow, that was an exceptional Ernst Ludwig.” (24:17)

Notable Moments & Timestamps

• Reflection on choreography and thematic resonance: (02:45–05:10)
• Evaluation of Matt Willis’s acting and vocal style: (07:41–11:05)
• Discussion of Katie Hall’s Sally Bowles characterization: (12:44–17:34)
• Detailed supporting cast review, especially Ernst Ludwig: (19:46–24:17)
• Handling the difficult ‘If You Could See Her’ punchline: (23:52–24:57)

Final Thoughts

Mickey Jo concludes that despite having seen this Cabaret production many times, the cast and creative elements continually reinvent its impact, with Matt Willis and Katie Hall bringing fresh and worthy interpretations to the leads. Supporting performances, especially Ruthie Henshall and Lucas Koch, further invigorate the show’s dynamism. Listeners and viewers are invited to share their thoughts and speculate on future castings, underscoring the show’s openness to new evolution.

“They continue to go from strength to strength with their cast…It’s always a fantastic evening at the theatre.” (26:28)

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