Paris Theatre Memories

We saw “Cabaret” at the Folies Bergere in Paris a couple of years ago. It was a truly unforgetable night in the Theatre. Steve and I both know this show so well, so we thought it would be fun to see how the Parisians did it. And to see it at the legendary Folies Bergere.

The Folies Bergere has seen better days, which made it the perfect setting for “Cabaret”.

We took the subway to the Folies Bergere’s neighborhood and had dinner at a lovely little restaurant up the street. They were closing for a private party, but the owner said he would feed us if we ate fast. It was great french country food and he was most charming.

Then off to the Folies.

The version of “Cabaret” we saw was a French adaptation of the Sam Mendes production we had seen on Broadway, and on tour, and loved. But, I must say, the French version was definitive.   No one does decadence like the French. Americans can only play at it.  And I’ve seen a lot of Sally Bowles, but Claire Perot was also definitive….

Here are a couple of clips, courtesy of YouTube: