DCU Drama Society wowed audiences in The Helix last week as they journeyed back to 1930s Berlin for their production of Cabaret.
The Cabaret story follows American writer Cliff Bradshaw (Bob McQuaid) as he arrives in the German city where a vibrant nightlife scene is diminishing amidst the rise of Nazi politics and propaganda.
Emcee (Karl Francis Conyard) heads up the notorious Kit Kat Club, where Bradshaw’s English love interest Sally Bowles (Lorna Dennehy) entertains patrons.
The pair rent a room in the city from an elderly landlady Fraulein Schneider (Aoife C. Ryan), whose loneliness turns to confusion when she falls for Jewish shopkeeper Herr Schultz (Mark Young) and is conflicted between her love and her anxiety about anti-Semitic attacks.
Following on from the success of last year’s RENT, the impressive stage show received an enthusiastic standing ovation from audience members on opening night.
Choreographer Sarah Curran told The College View she was “absolutely delighted with the feedback I’ve received so far. I’ve even been told it was up to professional standard which means a lot.”
She took inspiration for the striking routines from Bob Fosse’s 1972 cult film of the same name, which starred Liza Minnelli.
Auditions for the annual musical were held in semester one, while rehearsals began as soon as college life resumed for semester two.
Chorus member Neil Farren played a variety of smaller roles and said he was delighted when he first heard Cabaret announced as the society’s 2014 musical.
“I got very excited. I didn’t know the musical very well but that didn’t stop me from auditioning… Lately, I’ve found myself quoting lines from the show on a daily basis”, he said.
Directed by Maureen Ward and produced by Rachel Byrne in conjunction with DCU Drama, this gripping and emotive production showcased the best of DCU’s theatrical talent.
Sarah Bermingham
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