Bognor becomes Berlin

Bognor Regis will become Berlin when students on the University of Chichester’s musical theatre programme bring Kander and Ebb’s Cabaret to the Regis Centre.

Brighton-based professional Ed Burnside has been brought in to direct the second-year

students on the musical theatre foundation course.

“I have connections with some of the staff that work at the university,” Ed said, “and I was asked to come in as a free-lance professional director and to choose a musical.

“I chose Cabaret. It is one of my absolute favourites. It is something that I have always wanted to direct and not had the opportunity to before. This is a fantastic chance to work with such a talented team.”

What makes it such a striking musical is the subject matter as much as anything else, Ed says - a dark and adult piece that explores the grimy underworld of Weimar Berlin, a world of risqué song and dance, corrupt politics and at its heart the story of Sally Bowles set against the dark backdrop of the rise of the Nazis.

“As a theatre person, I am more drawn to the darker themes in my work. I am not sure how good I would be at frothy and feel-good! This one is very dark and exciting, and I hope this production will bring out those elements.

“It’s a fantastic story. I love Isherwood’s writing, and everything combined for me to choose it.”