What was the scariest part of Cabaret, in your opinion? Mine was the Finale mostly because I had no clue what was going on (I only have the soundtrack). The discordant music and the rumbling made it even scarier. Even the drum roll and cymbal clash at the end seemed oppressive.
Coupled with Cliff, the loudspeaker voice, and the Emcee's lines, I thin it's the scariest finale to a play ever!
To Priest's question, it differed. Joel Grey once compared his Emcee to an incarnation of Hitler. The revival's Emcee was a victim - a representation of everything that would be destroyed.
The scariest part? The finale, no doubt. Those bright lights, and the rumbling... it sounded like a train was going to crash into the theatre. And if it was played well, the actor playing Emcee *actually* looked like he was going to die, which tore my heart out. One of THE most unforgettable moments of theatre I've ever experienced, and just as impactful, even on repeat visits.
The Master of Ceremonies is a commentator. He is very Puckish. Playing both victim and instigator. Everything that takes place inside the club comments on what is happening beyond its walls. Now, if you are referring to the ending, it has always been implied even if subtly, as in the original that he would die. The last revival just took it to the next level.
One of the beautiful things about this show is that it is often left to the audiences interpretation.
"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds."
~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns
When I saw Cabaret, the Emcee was actually wearing a Nazi camp uniform at the end. Is he not usually wearing one?
Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be enbered with your old nonsense. ~ Emerson
It is not written in the script that way but many productions use it. Especially ones that occurred after the last revival. When I played The Master of Ceremonies I wore one.
"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds."
~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns
Tomorrow... was scary too, but I guess pretty dependent on who the Emcee was - and how many chances he took in being really... playful, for lack of a better term, with the audience. You know, on just *how* sinister he wanted to make it. VERY, very creepy.
I never looked at the Emcee as being an instigator, mainly because, in the production I saw, you saw him being dragged off to the camps. And in the film, I never saw him as anything more than a performer, but it's an interesting point of view.
Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be enbered with your old nonsense. ~ Emerson