Charcoalblue transforms London’s Playhouse Theatre into Cabaret's Kit Kat Club

11/12/21

Open December 11, 2021, this bold new project transforms London’s proscenium-arch Grade II-listed Playhouse Theatre into an intimate in-the-round space. Designed specifically around the exciting new production of Cabaret, this radical and immersive intervention has enabled Director, Rebecca Frecknall and designer, Tom Scutt to create the intimate and detailed ambience of the Kit Kat Club, drawing audiences into the world of 1930s Berlin.

“Eddie Redmayne may be the star — and he’s mesmerisingly good too — but he really shares top billing with the venue itself.”

Clive Davis, The Times

Production photo from the 2021 London production of Cabaret. On the left, the Emcee wearing a beige tank top and brown pants; Sally on the left in a green fur coat.

“Transforming one of the West End’s smaller theaters into an intoxicatingly immersive space...”

Demetrios Matheou, The Hollywood Reporter

Playhouse Theatre production photo of the ensemble of Cabaret dancing, with green lighting.

“...astonishing makeover of the Playhouse Theatre: Transforming the West End venue into a very swanky speakeasy...”

Patrick Marmion, Daily Mail

Production photo from cabaret. Actor in a suit in the background holding a drink and smiling; another in the foreground in a suit with a scarf dancing, celebrating.

“The new design makes it thrillingly intimate for the audience but inevitably puts pressure on the artists “because there is nowhere to hide”, as [Charcoalblue founding partner Gavin Green] says.”

Liz Hoggard, The Stage

Production photo of actress looking into the distance with her hand on her chin

Credits

Client

ATG and Underbelly

Project Director

Gary Beestone Associates

Lead Consultant

Charcoalblue

Architect

Carmody Groarke

Theatre and Acoustic Consultants

Charcoalblue

Director

Rebecca Frecknall

Set and Costume Design

Tom Scutt

Press

Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome: How the Playhouse became Cabaret's Kit Kat Club

Cabaret review — Sinister Redmayne and sumptuous set are a seductive combination, The Times, December 2021

Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley in ‘Cabaret’: Theater Review, The Hollywood Reporter, December 2021

At Eddie’s Cabaret, even the set’s wunderbar, The Daily Mail, December 2021

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