Get set for a sizzling new show this summer, because the curtain has lifted on the Potters Theatre Company’s latest production—and it’s a scorcher!
After months of planning and rehearsals, we couldn’t wait to see what your new Mondays and Fridays have in store. So we headed to Five Lakes for an exclusive review, where it opened this weekend…
Getting right to it
From what we already knew of The Cabaret Club, we weren’t expecting a typical show—if typical is a word that can be used to describe any PTC performance. And it kicked off in style with an unexpected and delightful twist.
Channelling the energy of Postmodern Jukebox, some of the PTC vocalists hit the stage early, performing classics like Dancing Queen, Africa, I Will Survive and I’ll Be There For You with a vintage jazz twist. Crowd participation was welcomed, and it set the tone for the night in a stylish manner.
The arrangements were clever, and the harmonies were tight. We’d seen a quirky rehearsal of Wannabe a few weeks back, but under the lights of The Glade Theatre stage, this short setlist took on a different perspective.
New stage curtains have replaced many of the usual LED screens to provide that intimate, speakeasy vibe. Meanwhile, beautiful costumes provide sparkle, whisking you back to a world of razzle-dazzle and roaring 1920s charm.
With cheeky hosts providing plenty of laughs from the outset too, we didn’t know what to expect next!
The Main Event
Musically, it’s fabulous. Willkommen was the perfect… well, welcome. And its famous line “Leave your troubles outside… in here, life is beautiful” was perhaps a reminder of everything the audience could look forward to for the rest of their break.
‘Willkommen’ provided the spark to open The Cabaret Club for the first timeCabaret and Dancing Fool followed, before a showstopping Moulin Rouge medley—and it was a riot of colour, drama, and energy that left the audience roaring with applause.
There’s a single cabaret stage set, and the reduction in usage of the theatre’s LED screens provides, in this instance, a charm that complements the show perfectly. Without regular technical changes between sections, the skilled Tech Crew shifted its focus towards lighting, which took on a life of its own throughout The Cabaret Club.
The lighting in The Cabaret Club was a character in itselfThe visual element was heightened by the costumes, which are incredible and have been carefully thought out. With feathered showgirls (and ‘showboys’ at one point), velvet-clad crooners, gangster swagger, and more sparkle than you could ever imagine, the theatre was alive with Roaring Twenties glamour.
‘Too Darn Hot’ in The Cabaret Club was super-coolAs the PTC delivered number after number (Straighten Up and Fly Right, Big Spender and Too Darn Hot were personal favourites) it was evident that—without many of those usual digital visuals—the audience’s gaze was purely on the cast, as they served up a passionate and raw exhibition of pitch-perfect vocals and outstanding choreography.
New Steps and Fresh Laughs
Gaz Davis, who has choreographed for stars such as Elton John and Robbie Williams, and events including X-Factor, Children in Need, The Brit Awards, and the Olympic Games, has brought a new dimension for The Cabaret Club. And the entire cast—from dancers to vocalists to the comedy team—excelled as they showcased the fruits of their intense rehearsals within several demanding routines.
The dance routines in The Cabaret Club are one of the many highlightsModern hits like Black & Gold and Roxanne continued to mix with cabaret classics such as All I Care About is Love, and each was performed with a West End-level polish. But there were also show-stopping solos and duets that brought genuine goosebumps—La Vie En Rose and Come What May, especially so.
‘Come What May’The evening’s sophisticated swing was regularly met with comedy. Delivered with impeccable timing by familiar faces, it was the perfect complement to the show’s sultry musical numbers. There was even a ‘daring’ knife-throwing routine involving an unsuspecting and very brave audience member!
There’s plenty of laughter throughout too, courtesy of some familiar facesA Fitting Finale
That contrast—from elegance to hilarity, from subtle to spectacular—is no accident. The evening constantly evolved, and you never quite knew what was coming next.
‘All That Jazz’ performed by the Potters Theatre CompanyThe finale kept that theme going with a spectacular splash of colour. Modern hits including She Bangs, Rhythm of the Night, and Copacabana met ’20s jazz in perfect harmony.
And as the final notes continued to ring out, in true theatrical fashion, the stars of the show accepted the applause in turn, with the audience on their feet in appreciation.
The Cabaret Club’s vibrant finale had everyone tapping and singingReflecting on The Cabaret Club
Behind the scenes, it’s clear how much love and effort went into this production. Creative Producer Roxy Yarnold previously spoke passionately about delivering something bold. After experiencing it first-hand, there’s a confidence and sophistication to The Cabaret Club that feels fresh and exciting.
"From behind-the-scenes creatives and wardrobe, to showtime’s tech team and the stars on stage, ‘The Cabaret Club’ is an opportunity for the entire PTC to showcase their talent and repertoire."
Prior to opening night, we went backstage to discover a nervous energy and excitement in equal doses. And when the curtains pulled back for the first time, that energy was infectious. It’s wasn’t just a show—it was an event. And the audience was swept up in the atmosphere from the very first note to the last glittering curtain call.
So, what’s the verdict?
The Cabaret Club has all the elements that make live entertainment at Potters unforgettable. It isn’t just a musical, or a dance show, or a comedy night. It’s all of those things and more, masterfully blended into one seamless evening. There truly is something for everyone.
"It’s bold, stylish, full of surprises, and guaranteed to be one of the highlights of your break this summer and beyond."
Take your seat, raise a glass, and let The Cabaret Club whisk you away to a time of glamour, mischief, and unforgettable entertainment. Moulin Rouge meets Gatsby, with that signature Potters flair woven throughout. Despite its speakeasy setting, we’ll surely be talking quite openly about this one for a long time to come.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The Cabaret Club is now open at Five Lakes, and coming to Hopton-on-Sea from Monday 21st July. It will appear on every 3-Night Weekend and 4-Night Midweek Break this summer. And you can get your plans in place for a fabulous Fully Inclusive getaway, including this new show, right here!
