Back in 2013, I posted a video of a tremendous performance of the title song by a British actress, Jane Horrocks, who starred in a now-famous 1993 revival on the West End of Cabaret. It was a completely re-imagined production that presented the show in a more bleak setting, befitting the material’s history and subject matter. Famously, too, from that production, Alan Cumming starred as the sleazy MC, later coming with the show when it crossed to Broadway, where a variety of actresses stepped to each briefly play 'Sally Bowles." Worth noting, as well, is that the production was directed by acclaimed director Sam Mendes. But the most famous of performances came from Jane Horrocks with a remarkably gutsy interpretation. For years, her rendition of the title song was the only video of her in the show that I could find. But over the weekend, I came across two more. So, I thought it best to bring back first her version of “Cabaret,” since it’s been a decade. And since Jane Horrocks is a pretty special performer, I've tracked a few other videos of her that show how special. So, consider this a mini-Jane Horrocks Fest, of sorts. As I wrote back then, the name of Jane Horrocks might not be familiar to most people, but she herself might be, at least a bit. She's best known for playing the loopy assistant, 'Bubble,' in the British TV series, Absolutely Fabulous. However, she also starred in the fascinating 1998 film, Little Voice, which she created initially on stage. (She plays a painfully shy woman who comes alive when she sings magnificently in the voices of other famous singers she learned from old records, like Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Billie Holiday and others. Horrocks did all her own, extraordinary, spot-on singing -- in fact, the show was originally created for her by her boyfriend.) The movie is well-worth checking out, with terrific performances also by Michael Caine, Ewan McGregor, Brenda Blethyn and Jim Broadbent. But back to Jane Horrocks in Cabaret. One thing to keep in mind is that, unlike Liza Minnelli’s dynamic, Oscar-winning performance, 'Sally Bowles' is supposed to be a very-mediocre performer. And she's caught in a terrible, horribly-desperate situation that's tearing her apart, breaking her down. That she's performing in a shoddy Berlin nightclub at the rise of Naziism is indicative of the low level of her talent and the depths she's reached. And Jane Horrocks throws herself into that, diving off the high-board free-fall without a net. (Keep in mind that, for all the slightly off-key notes, she really can sing wonderfully.) She gives a grippingly risky performance, showing all the incompetence and terrified neuroses of the character. And is electric for it. I have a good friend I've mentioned here before, John Kander -- not "the" who wrote the music to Cabaret, but his nephew. And John has seen more productions of Cabaret than anyone I've ever met. He knows the show inside and out. And when I sent him this video, he was blown away. Whether or not it was his "favorite" performance -- he's probably seen too many to have a single favorite -- he said it seemed as close to who 'Sally Bowles' was supposed to be than any performance he's seen. High praise. The performance won't be for everyone. It's very edgy, to the point of almost uncomfortable. (The still image on the video below should give you some idea...) But it's hard not to admire the visceral chances that Jane Horrocks takes with her interpretation. And I suspect that for most people -- even if it's not a "favorite" and easily accessible performance – it will be enjoyed, appreciated and remembered. So, here -- introduced by Alan Cumming at his utterly sleaziest best -- is Jane Horrocks singing and throwing every ounce of herself into the title song, "Cabaret."
2 Comments
kenneth kahn
7/18/2023 03:35:14 am
A YouTube search for "Cabaret Mendes Production" will result in the full show starring Alan Cumming and Jane Horrocks.
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Robert Elisberg
7/18/2023 05:57:52 pm
Kenneth -- Well, that was unexpected. Thanks much. I just tracked it down, and it appears to be a professionally-videotaped recording, not a bootleg from the audience. All the better. This is great, much appreciated.
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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