📍The Bread and Roses Theatre

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Cabaret For the End of the World is somehow both bleak and spectacular: multi-talented actor/muso Cathy Wippell takes the stage armed only with a pistol, flask of gin and her accordion, and sweeps the audience into her world for an hour.

The apocalypse is happening; its day 473 of the nuclear fallout and things are certainly looking grim. But, ex-sustainability manager turned cabaret accordionist Montselier is trying to make the most of it! In a clever meta move, the setting within this apocalyptic piece is the Bread and Roses theatre, with the audience all assumed survivors. The effect is oddly immersive for such a minimalist show (the set comprised of a singular black block – I suppose set builders are hard to come by in a full-scale nuclear wipeout). Wippell as Montselier begins with small talk, establishing a darkly humorous tone as she muses about acid rain and lost limbs.

The storytelling is fantastic. Within minutes Wippell conjures a rich post-apocalyptic world, using the combination of monologue and song to paint a vivid image of an unrecognisably desolate London. Exposition is woven seamlessly through dialogue, and then enhanced when the cabaret transitions to song, with Wippell playing and singing original music throughout. This combination of dark humour and accordion-led song makes the piece feel almost reminiscent of Kurt Weill or Kander and Ebb. This coupled with the subtle but perfectly-aimed comments on our (actual) society and hints as to why this whole mess happened, adds an almost Brechtian layer to the show. These little asides like ‘maybe I should have signed a petition’ reflect on the increasing feeling of futility we feel as individuals caught up in a climate crisis and political minefield.  

Cathy Wippell commands the stage as sad-clown Montselier, taking the audience into her un-relinquishing grip. As she speaks to us about the struggles of a ruined society she pivots effortlessly from witty humour towards little pockets of heartbreak, but always finishing off with a very British ‘keep calm and carry on’ resolve. Her abilities become twice as impressive when she begins to sing and accompany herself on the accordion. For such a small space, Wippell fills it with presence, simple but effective staging drawing us further in to her world.

The impression is that the apocalypse is never-ending and that this is the emergence of a new world. Like I said – it’s bleak. But you come out of Cabaret For the End of the World feeling hopeful – that even in the darkest of times, when humanity hangs by a thread – still, there is art!

 Cabaret for the End of the World plays at the Bread and Roses theatre until 7^th June, 2025

 🎟️ Tickets and information: https://www.breadandrosestheatre.co.uk/whats-on.html