Casting confirmed for Cabaret at Lyric

Casting confirmed for Cabaret at Lyric

Casting has now been confirmed for Cabaret, which opens at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue on 10 Oct 2006, following previews from 22 Sep - booking to 7 April 2007

The cast includes: Anna Maxwell Martin (Sally Bowles), James Dreyfus (Emcee), Sheila Hancock (Fraulein Schneider), Michael Hayden (Clifford Bradshaw), Geoffrey Hutchings (Herr Schultz), Harriet Thorpe (Fraulein Kost), Andrew Maud (Ernst Ludwig).

Anna Maxwell Martin's London stage credits includes: "Dumb Show" at the Royal Court in 2004; "His Dark Materials" at the Olivier, NT in 2003/2004; "Three Sisters" at the Lyttelton, NT in 2003; "Honour" at the Cottesloe, NT in 2003; "The Coast of Utopia" at the Olivier, NT in 2002; "Little Foxes" at the Donmar Warehouse in 2001.

James Dreyfus' London stage credits include: "Donkeys' Years" at the Comedy Theatre in 2006; "The Producers" at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 2004 and "Lady in the Dark" at the Lyttelton, NT in 1997. He is best known for starring on television in "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" & "The Thin Blue Line".

Sheila Hancock was last on the West End stage in "The Anniversary" at the Garrick Theatre in 2005. Her theatre credits also includes: "Harry and Me" at the Royal Court Downstairs in 1996; The Arab Israeli Cookbook (Gate Theatre); Under the Blue Sky (Royal Court Theatre); Vassa (Albery Theatre) and In Extremis (Royal National Theatre). Her TV work includes: Feather Boy, Bedtime series1,2and 3, Fortysomething, Bait, The Russian Bride and Eastenders.

Cabaret, with book by Joe Matseroff, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, was based on John van Druten's play I am a Camera which in turn took its inspiration from Christopher Isherwood's Berlin stories. The multi award-winning musical was conceived in 1966, later becoming the 1972 film with Liza Minnelli, Michael York and Joel Grey - the film was to win 8 Academy Awards.

It is directed by Rufus Norris, designed by Katrina Lindsay with choreography by Javier De Frutos. It is produced by Bill Kenwright.

Berlin of 1931 a dark and sexually charged haven of decadence, its extraordinary and morally ambiguous inhabitants determined to keep up appearances as the real world - outside the comfortable sanctuary of the cabaret - prepares for the nightmarish chaos of war. At its heart is the legendary Sally Bowles who nightly performs at the infamous Kit Kat Klub in 'A shimmering masterpiece of a show guaranteed night after night! It's divine decadence darling!'