I think that Jane Horrocks conjures a Sally Bowles unlike any other. What I get from this is not just that Sally's not supposed to be talented, but that she's a pretentious 1930s avant-garde cabaret artist who either thinks she's better than she is, or deliberately tortures her audience. It takes great guts to deliberately sing like this when you're really a very good singer (like Horrocks is) in such a high-profile role and I think it's a magnificent performance.
As much as I don't enjoy her singing, this is probably how Sally is supposed to be - Sally is supposed to be a really iffy performer in general who just thinks she has star potential.
Guys, guys, guys...the off-key singing is on purpose. As another commenter put it, Sally is supposed to be an iffy performer at best with delusions of stardom. Also, imagine if she'd thrown out Isherwood's source material and had tried to pull a Minnelli--you can't live up to that! The director and actors were smart to make deliberately different choices.
...I have now idea if you are being serious or not right now. I am going to assume not. As a side note, Bubbles--like the Power Puff Girl or something?
no3namesalike I love Jane Horrock as Sally and definitely agree had they gone in the same direction as Liza Minnelli's rendition... well, then why bother leaving your house and just put on the VHS. Also, I much prefer Horrock's version of Cabaret, as it was far more emotive.
I couldn't agree more. She has to be one of my favourite Sally's ever. She is so intense and is the only one who truly expresses the inner torment that Sally goes through throughout the play. And her voice, amazing for someone so talented to intentionally sing like that. Absolutely stunning in every manner. I would kill to see it live
She is Isherwood's Sally. It's as if she's read the chapter of his book, and never heard of Liza. Which is what is so perfect about Horrock's performance
The fact that people don't realise how amazing Horrocks is as Sally is so annoying! She's the perfect sally, how she was written. Also please watch Jane Horrocks in other roles or even an interview you will be amazed that you are watching the same person, amazing stage and screen actress
I agree. I love Natasha Richardson's portrayal but Jane Horrocks is unapologetic in how Sally isn't supposed to be classy or actually be any good at all.
Try to find the movie "Little Voice" featuring Jane Horrocks, as well as the fabulous Michael Caine and Brenda Blethryn... you'll hear Horrocks' real singing.
@@gentillygirl545 No, Liza was Sally in the movie adaptation. Natasha Richardson was Sally when this version (with Alan Cumming) moved to Broadway in 1998, taking over from Jane Horrocks.
I like both performances from Liza and Horrocks. I think the interpretations of the character Sally are so different because the world of film and the world of stage are so different themselves. Saying that one is better than the other is just absurd because both actresses are wonderful, and did a great job as Sally! Then again everyone is entitled to their opinion :)
I completely agree, I think that people just expect a fantastic singer to play Sally because of the movie .etc and can't appreciate that this is a character choice, a difficult one by Jane because she could have easily just winged this song and sang it brilliantly. I love how this production is very much character based rather than music based.
This song is somewhat empowering, but then again it was originally written for the movie, where Sally is interpreted rather differently. The original song that goes here is "Don't Tell Mama" which was replaced with the film's "Mein Heir" in practically every revival thus far.
Not _enjoyable_ really but an amazing performance -- probably the closest anyone ever has come to the Isherwood-via-Fosse vision. It's like something out of a nightmare in Hell.
if Sally had truly been 5-star caliber she would have had no problem becoming the actress she aspired to be. it's her limited talent that keeps her captive in the Kit Kat and chasing after the lusty producer or the rich aristocrat.
came across this just today. Jane Horrocks is brilliant. Have seen her only "Little Voice" and AB FAB over the years. Glad to see her astounding performance in something else. Have always agreed about most people's take on Sally Bowles - I never thought the character herself was to be a perfect performer
I do understand and appreciate the reasoning for her performance, but I've never really liked this version. I think it's the choreography. I would've loved if she had moved more. I feel like a genuinely fabulous Sally wouldn't be happy just sitting in one spot the whole time.
I was completely turned off by her portrayal in the song, but it grabs you by the end, it all makes sense by the song Cabaret. Also, in a show that had such iconic past actresses playing Sally, what else can you do than reinvent and stir? I like her not being able to move though, it creates a really interesting 'static' dynamic.
Both were in the 1998 Roundabout Broadway revival (also directed by Sam Mendes). Don't Tell Mama was where Mein Herr is in this production, and Mein Herr was Sally's farewell song at the Kit Kat Klub.
They kept Mein Herr from the movie and Omitted Don't Tell Mama from the Original Broadway Score! Interesting to hear English Sally sing it as opposed to movie American Sally. In the film, they let Sally be a good singer (as Liza Minelli of course...is)
I think it depends on the production/revival. Some only do Don't Tell Mama and some only do Mein Herr and some do both. I think they do both in the latest broadway/tour revival. :)
Jane Horrocks... ouh, if only you had seen my expression when I realised that she was in that one British TV series about the minster... or something... started to watch that mini series after I realized that it was her! man, she is SUCH a good actress... but some expressions and the way she exaggerates some words gave her away... (a series about politics (politics, what does it have to do with us?) XDD so great)
Jane Horrocks said in interviews at the time that Sam Mendes asked her to sing badly because Sally wasn't supposed to be a great singer. So I agree with Pluto727! :)
Based on something I remember reading when this adaptation first came to Broadway in 1998, the bruises on Emcee's body are supposed to be marks left by a syringe -- the implication being that the Emcee uses heroin.
I saw this on Broadway in 1999 and am so glad she wasn't on the stage when I went or this would have never been my favorite show. I know what she was supposed to be, but man, that was just bad.
I know that when Sally was first played by Judy Dench the character wasn't meant to be a great singer, but this is just ridiculous,,, she is an amazing actress though.
This Jane Hochman rendition of "Mein Liebe Herr" uniquely brings out Sally's likely elsewhere repressed rage at her "sexy" father who "tries, poor thing but simply doesn't care" about his motherless daughter. Some rage too at Hitler's ever worsening Fascistic Fatherland's repression of women (he once said they should only materialize at night).
what happened to don't tell mama? this production looks to be the one from Broadway revival at studio 54, but they have cut or removed parts of the score?> i'm confused?
Hmmm ... seeing this for the first time ... I'm a bit puzzled why they took out "Don't Tell Mama" and substituted the song written for the movie, but then didn't really do anything with it. That was an extraordinarily unimpressive routine. Ah well. Was it just my imagination, or was Jane Horrocks (famous for impersonations) channelling a bit of Judi Dench in that, from when she played Sally in the very first London production of Cabaret?
Ha that was the first time where I realized that on one he lifted up his middle finger. Clever how he puts in little things like that all throughtout the show.
@ryanstackhouse13 Yet Liza's Sally Bowles was a brilliant creation--Liza brought her superstar singing and dancing, and her fascinating neuroses and touching vulnerabilities ... we can believe her issues with a narcissistic, neglectful parent !
oh yeah i know, but i mean i thought the actual song as a Kit Kat number was supposed to be her "goodbye, i don't need any of you, i rock" sort of sign out song... I know she is completely deluded but I just thought this song should have shown more that her life is an act... OH! and i did get to the end of this and LOVED her version of "Cabaret" - sort of made me change my opinion of her as an actress :)
@tendenPB Actually, Jane Horrocks (the woman playing Sally) is a very talented singer, but in this production she decided to portray Sally as a second rate cabaret singer.
Jane Horrocks is actually a fantastic singer, she made a character choice to make Sally slightly off because the Sally Bowles of Christopher Isherwood's 'Goodbye to Berlin' was a second rate singer with a little talent. it's all to add the effect. I quite like what it adds, brave choice.
@ryanstackhouse13 Well in the movie she was a much more tragic character seeing as she was actually very talented and opportunity never knocked on her door. And if it did she felt forced to choose the Cabaret instead, maybe because the baby was the MC's. I don't know, but what I think is the case is that she couldn't escape the Cabaret and her dream of becoming an actress showed itself in her ability to allure men. She already WAS an actress in her life.
It was a joke...The Emcee is recalling a conversation he had with Sally Bowles where he tells her “I want you for my wife!” And she replies “Your wife?! What would she want with me??” He then politely thanks the crowd for laughing at his awful joke. 😂
@tlyoung88 I don't think that Don't Tell Mama is her backstory, no. I think it's a tale she's telling in a song, trying to add to her mystique. In short, I wouldn't trust a word that girl says!
On the subject of "bad singing"... Is her *accent* terrible on purpose as well? It seems like Horrocks is playing her not as British (like in the original, I think), but as an American (like Liza's Sally) who just TOLD everyone she's British. Which... would fit the character, actually.
@shrubbmeister Jane Horrocks is actually a very talented singer, but the part of Sally Bowles is supposed to be a very mediocre to terrible singer. Just in her mind she is going to break through and become famous. So when people comment that she sounds terrible that's actually a thumbs up for her because she's not supposed to sound good in this.
Of cause they should care if their leading lady in a musical can actually sing. Oh and the musical came first, the movie is a filmatising of the Musical.
kind of makes me think of shirley temple on Crack! i know sally isn't the most likable of character but i really don;t like jane horricks's perfromance as sally, but thats just me, hope no one takes offense at this x
I have to say, I don't agree with her interpretation of Sally at all, but I think "Mein Herr" is almost exactly how Isherwood's Sally would have performed it.
I think that Jane Horrocks conjures a Sally Bowles unlike any other. What I get from this is not just that Sally's not supposed to be talented, but that she's a pretentious 1930s avant-garde cabaret artist who either thinks she's better than she is, or deliberately tortures her audience. It takes great guts to deliberately sing like this when you're really a very good singer (like Horrocks is) in such a high-profile role and I think it's a magnificent performance.
As much as I don't enjoy her singing, this is probably how Sally is supposed to be - Sally is supposed to be a really iffy performer in general who just thinks she has star potential.
I don't know why, but the sheepish way the Emcee says "Thank you" after the audience laughs is adorable! :)
Guys, guys, guys...the off-key singing is on purpose. As another commenter put it, Sally is supposed to be an iffy performer at best with delusions of stardom. Also, imagine if she'd thrown out Isherwood's source material and had tried to pull a Minnelli--you can't live up to that! The director and actors were smart to make deliberately different choices.
It is plagiarism in the extreme from the tv character Bubbles. The director and the actress should be slapped for such a lack of professionalism.
...I have now idea if you are being serious or not right now. I am going to assume not. As a side note, Bubbles--like the Power Puff Girl or something?
no3namesalike I love Jane Horrock as Sally and definitely agree had they gone in the same direction as Liza Minnelli's rendition... well, then why bother leaving your house and just put on the VHS. Also, I much prefer Horrock's version of Cabaret, as it was far more emotive.
He's referring to the character Bubble from Absolutely Fabulous without grasping that it's the same actress
Maddy Lind Hopefully they are being sarcastic and grasp the concept of irony because... if not...
I couldn't agree more. She has to be one of my favourite Sally's ever. She is so intense and is the only one who truly expresses the inner torment that Sally goes through throughout the play. And her voice, amazing for someone so talented to intentionally sing like that. Absolutely stunning in every manner. I would kill to see it live
She is Isherwood's Sally. It's as if she's read the chapter of his book, and never heard of Liza. Which is what is so perfect about Horrock's performance
Allan Cummings' pause after that joke, omg perfect. LMAO
The fact that people don't realise how amazing Horrocks is as Sally is so annoying! She's the perfect sally, how she was written. Also please watch Jane Horrocks in other roles or even an interview you will be amazed that you are watching the same person, amazing stage and screen actress
I agree. I love Natasha Richardson's portrayal but Jane Horrocks is unapologetic in how Sally isn't supposed to be classy or actually be any good at all.
Try to find the movie "Little Voice" featuring Jane Horrocks, as well as the fabulous Michael Caine and Brenda Blethryn... you'll hear Horrocks' real singing.
Glad to see the adorable Jane Horrocks who played Bubble on Ab Fab showing off more talent! I adore this woman!
@@lavendermoonbeams Didn't Liza Minnelli play Sally Bowles and Natasha Richardson play the upper class Jewish frauline?
@@gentillygirl545 No, Liza was Sally in the movie adaptation. Natasha Richardson was Sally when this version (with Alan Cumming) moved to Broadway in 1998, taking over from Jane Horrocks.
I just love how Alan just casually flips off the everybody in the croud
When does he do that
@@thunder_heads7:58
Comment Percentage
25% “I don’t like Sally”
25% “I like Sally”
49% “ Sally’s supposed to be bad”
1% other
I like both performances from Liza and Horrocks. I think the interpretations of the character Sally are so different because the world of film and the world of stage are so different themselves. Saying that one is better than the other is just absurd because both actresses are wonderful, and did a great job as Sally! Then again everyone is entitled to their opinion :)
I love alan´s double take after "what would your wife want with me?" ..
Miss DONt TELL MAMA though...
I completely agree, I think that people just expect a fantastic singer to play Sally because of the movie .etc and can't appreciate that this is a character choice, a difficult one by Jane because she could have easily just winged this song and sang it brilliantly. I love how this production is very much character based rather than music based.
This song is somewhat empowering, but then again it was originally written for the movie, where Sally is interpreted rather differently. The original song that goes here is "Don't Tell Mama" which was replaced with the film's "Mein Heir" in practically every revival thus far.
ive never seen Cabaret but always loved Alan Cumming's version of Wilkomen and this production is amazing!
From the comments I thought her singing would be atrocious and unhearable, but its actually not bad? I feel like its just a unique style of singing
"Your wife? What would she want with me?"
XD Poor EMCee everyone laughed.
Not _enjoyable_ really but an amazing performance -- probably the closest anyone ever has come to the Isherwood-via-Fosse vision. It's like something out of a nightmare in Hell.
I love her so much as Sally
if Sally had truly been 5-star caliber she would have had no problem becoming the actress she aspired to be. it's her limited talent that keeps her captive in the Kit Kat and chasing after the lusty producer or the rich aristocrat.
came across this just today. Jane Horrocks is brilliant. Have seen her only "Little Voice" and AB FAB over the years. Glad to see her astounding performance in something else. Have always agreed about most people's take on Sally Bowles - I never thought the character herself was to be a perfect performer
My dream role is fräulein Schneider
It is interesting the sort of marmite reactions to this. You either love it or hate it.
I do understand and appreciate the reasoning for her performance, but I've never really liked this version. I think it's the choreography. I would've loved if she had moved more. I feel like a genuinely fabulous Sally wouldn't be happy just sitting in one spot the whole time.
Terra Birdsall Yes, I found it so odd that she just sits there the whole time. Also, the lollipop? 🍭 🤷🏻♀️ Weird. I guess everybody’s a critic. 😆
Her look is fab. Her notes are so sharp my ears got cut.
Sally reminds me of Harley Quinn :D
wait isn’t sally’s first performance supposed to be don’t tell mama?
They replaced it for this revival like they replaced it for the movie
I was completely turned off by her portrayal in the song, but it grabs you by the end, it all makes sense by the song Cabaret.
Also, in a show that had such iconic past actresses playing Sally, what else can you do than reinvent and stir?
I like her not being able to move though, it creates a really interesting 'static' dynamic.
Natasha Richardson was wonderful as Sally. RIP Natasha, I still can't believe you're gone!
Both were in the 1998 Roundabout Broadway revival (also directed by Sam Mendes). Don't Tell Mama was where Mein Herr is in this production, and Mein Herr was Sally's farewell song at the Kit Kat Klub.
Sorry, I'm watching this in the order you have them posted and didn't see Don't Tell Mama? Did I miss a part or does this taping not have it?
"Husbands, you have only ten seconds in which to loose your wives! FIVE. . .FOUR. . .THREE. . ."
. . .intentional fail?
This girl is Jane Horrocks. And she can sing very well - "Little Voice" proves that beyond a doubt.
They kept Mein Herr from the movie and Omitted Don't Tell Mama from the Original Broadway Score! Interesting to hear English Sally sing it as opposed to movie American Sally. In the film, they let Sally be a good singer (as Liza Minelli of course...is)
I was expecting "Don't Tell Mama." What the fuck happened?
RIGHT
I think it depends on the production/revival. Some only do Don't Tell Mama and some only do Mein Herr and some do both. I think they do both in the latest broadway/tour revival. :)
They do. Just saw it last night on tour in DC. They do both songs.
Chris McCloud Just saw the DC revival last night. It was incredible!!
Sally Bowles was so brilliantly crafted...
6:26 - "SHE'S SOOOOOOO HOTT!!!!!"
I LOVE how when Alan gets to "one" he flips the audience off. to me that's just so...Alan.
Jane Horrocks... ouh, if only you had seen my expression when I realised that she was in that one British TV series about the minster... or something... started to watch that mini series after I realized that it was her! man, she is SUCH a good actress... but some expressions and the way she exaggerates some words gave her away... (a series about politics (politics, what does it have to do with us?) XDD so great)
Does anyone think Sally and The Emcee Did Belong Together?
Where's don't tell mama?
Jane Horrocks said in interviews at the time that Sam Mendes asked her to sing badly because Sally wasn't supposed to be a great singer. So I agree with Pluto727! :)
wow, i didnt notice that, but those little details add immensely to the story
Love this! But does anyone know why Alan’s arms are so bruised? I can’t stop looking at those bruises and wondering what happened to him.
Based on something I remember reading when this adaptation first came to Broadway in 1998, the bruises on Emcee's body are supposed to be marks left by a syringe -- the implication being that the Emcee uses heroin.
Is that Bubble from Ab Fab?
It would be awesome if it were
Yes, that's Jane Horrocks.
I saw this on Broadway in 1999 and am so glad she wasn't on the stage when I went or this would have never been my favorite show. I know what she was supposed to be, but man, that was just bad.
I know that when Sally was first played by Judy Dench the character wasn't meant to be a great singer, but this is just ridiculous,,, she is an amazing actress though.
Wow... I never thought of it that way, and I like your interpretation. Thank you for giving me an insight into your sophistication :P
This Jane Hochman rendition of "Mein Liebe Herr" uniquely brings out Sally's likely elsewhere repressed rage at her "sexy" father who "tries, poor thing but simply doesn't care" about his motherless daughter. Some rage too at Hitler's ever worsening Fascistic Fatherland's repression of women (he once said they should only materialize at night).
Omg, it's BUBBLE!!!! I had no idea she was so talented!
Bwhahahaha does he flick everyone off when he says 1 in the new years eve count down! 7:58
what happened to don't tell mama? this production looks to be the one from Broadway revival at studio 54, but they have cut or removed parts of the score?> i'm confused?
Hmmm ... seeing this for the first time ... I'm a bit puzzled why they took out "Don't Tell Mama" and substituted the song written for the movie, but then didn't really do anything with it. That was an extraordinarily unimpressive routine.
Ah well. Was it just my imagination, or was Jane Horrocks (famous for impersonations) channelling a bit of Judi Dench in that, from when she played Sally in the very first London production of Cabaret?
the end when the emcee flips everyone off
Cool cabaret. Great video
Ha that was the first time where I realized that on one he lifted up his middle finger. Clever how he puts in little things like that all throughtout the show.
@ryanstackhouse13 Yet Liza's Sally Bowles was a brilliant creation--Liza brought her superstar singing and dancing, and her fascinating neuroses and touching vulnerabilities ... we can believe her issues with a narcissistic, neglectful parent !
@pluto727 jane horrocks, was she that girl from ab fab, that stared in "little voice"?
she's got a great voice.
wait wait wait where's don't tell mama?? i hate the chair always but it doesnt really make sense in mein heir
Can someone please tell me what that lollypop that Sally is holding says?
Thanks! :)
Have you read "Goodbye to Berlin"? I'm guessing not.
In which part do they play "Money" ?
@missnodrama11 -- It looks like it says "Ich Liebe Dich", which is German for "I love you."
oh yeah i know, but i mean i thought the actual song as a Kit Kat number was supposed to be her "goodbye, i don't need any of you, i rock" sort of sign out song... I know she is completely deluded but I just thought this song should have shown more that her life is an act... OH! and i did get to the end of this and LOVED her version of "Cabaret" - sort of made me change my opinion of her as an actress :)
Minelli's version - brilliant but homogenized..this is Sally.
thanks so much for posting this!!!! :D
I used to think that Don't Tell Mama was Sally's backstory, but it really couldn't be, right?
...Bubble?
@tendenPB Actually, Jane Horrocks (the woman playing Sally) is a very talented singer, but in this production she decided to portray Sally as a second rate cabaret singer.
@justanotherme1 she's doing that deliberately, she's actually an excellent singer
Jane Horrocks is actually a fantastic singer, she made a character choice to make Sally slightly off because the Sally Bowles of Christopher Isherwood's 'Goodbye to Berlin' was a second rate singer with a little talent. it's all to add the effect. I quite like what it adds, brave choice.
Not a fan of how Sally was interpreted here.
Who plays Sally in this?
@ryanstackhouse13 Well in the movie she was a much more tragic character seeing as she was actually very talented and opportunity never knocked on her door. And if it did she felt forced to choose the Cabaret instead, maybe because the baby was the MC's. I don't know, but what I think is the case is that she couldn't escape the Cabaret and her dream of becoming an actress showed itself in her ability to allure men. She already WAS an actress in her life.
One of my first crushes. I loved Jane in The Witches.
aaah the "telephone song" is all scary now!
seems to be just IMPOSSIBLE to replace Liza on this position
does anyone know what Sally's sucker says?
Billie Urie It says I love you in German
What was said at 2:25?
It was a joke...The Emcee is recalling a conversation he had with Sally Bowles where he tells her “I want you for my wife!” And she replies “Your wife?! What would she want with me??” He then politely thanks the crowd for laughing at his awful joke. 😂
Sally seems quite like a spoilt child in her first song here. The high-chair doesn't help ;)
@tlyoung88 I don't think that Don't Tell Mama is her backstory, no. I think it's a tale she's telling in a song, trying to add to her mystique. In short, I wouldn't trust a word that girl says!
hahaha.
emcee slightly scares me sometimes
LIZA! Where are you?
In the movie which you can go & watch. Why would they just want to do the same interpretation of something over & over?
On the subject of "bad singing"... Is her *accent* terrible on purpose as well? It seems like Horrocks is playing her not as British (like in the original, I think), but as an American (like Liza's Sally) who just TOLD everyone she's British. Which... would fit the character, actually.
EXCELLENT !
@shrubbmeister Jane Horrocks is actually a very talented singer, but the part of Sally Bowles is supposed to be a very mediocre to terrible singer. Just in her mind she is going to break through and become famous. So when people comment that she sounds terrible that's actually a thumbs up for her because she's not supposed to sound good in this.
Of cause they should care if their leading lady in a musical can actually sing. Oh and the musical came first, the movie is a filmatising of the Musical.
kind of makes me think of shirley temple on Crack! i know sally isn't the most likable of character but i really don;t like jane horricks's perfromance as sally, but thats just me,
hope no one takes offense at this x
LIZZA FOR EVER!
How the FUCK did he not win the fucking Olivier for this!!!!
I have to say, I don't agree with her interpretation of Sally at all, but I think "Mein Herr" is almost exactly how Isherwood's Sally would have performed it.
@blithium I always assumed the 10 seconds started from when he started talking
i think its supposed to be sung badly. in the book, sally was described as having a bad voice so...
thats what i think anyway :s
Coudn't agree more!
@OreadNYC Jes, it certainly says "Ich liebe dich". ^^
Fraulein Coste would have made a better sally.
I prefer Liza Minelli's performance. I understand that they're both really different portrayals, but like I said, I prefer the classiness of Minelli.
Aside from the Bad Singing, Did they really have to make Sally a Bad Person?
Wonderful Dream Lady she isn’t bad, she is realistic, just as every character in this musical
This is a travesty. I can't unhear this!
@pluto727 I think she sounds great even as Sally Bowles haha