Cabaret: Character Overview

Goodbye to Berlin is a 1939 semi-autobiographical novel by Christopher Isherwood. Set in 1930s Weimar Berlin, during the time when the Nazi-party were gaining power, Goodbye to Berlin explores the daily lives of characters who are in, in various ways, outcast by society. The characters in the novel were inspired by real people who Isherwood encountered during his time there. Although my final designs will be informed by the characters as they were originally written in Isherwood's novel, it is important to show an understanding of how these characters have been interpreted and adapted for use in stage and screen scripts. Below is a breakdown of the characters as they are presented in the musical adaptation of the novel, Cabaret. 

Emcee- Emcee is the gender questionable master of ceremonies at the Kit Kat Club. A sexually free, appealing and comedic character, Emcee is often portrayed as wearing a lot of makeup in an almost clown-like fashion, an idea it would be best to deviate from if choosing him as the focal character for final designs. He is also described as an inviting, appealing       and entertaining character with a kind of celebrity status; all interesting qualities one could explore if designing a makeup for him.

Pictured right: Alan Cumming as Emcee in the Broadway production of 'Cabaret' for which he won a Tony award.

Pictured left: Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles in the movie adaptation of 'Cabaret'


Sally Bowles- Sally is a singer at the Kit Kat Club who has a quirky nature and is ordinarily a flighty character, though she does have episode of darkness. She is based on a lady called Jean Ross who Isherwood knew during his time in Berlin. The character is notable for her continuing efforts to dazzle and shock but this is seen to be a façade after having an abortion. Makeup is a device in her success as she is keen to make it in the world of showbusiness and makeup allows her to assume a role which is contrary to her real personality.

Clifford Bradshaw- An American novelist and English teacher, Clifford Bradshaw is represented as a closeted gay who represents morality and social conscious amongst a lineup of characters who are often deeply flawed and immoral in their behaviour. 

Fraulein Schneider- The landlady of the accommodation where several of the main characters reside. Schneider keeps a low profile, an attitude which informs her relationship. The main theme of character is survival; she creates no controversy, preferring to live a quiet life. 

Herr Schultz- A fruit shop owner who resides with Fraulein Schneider, he is a foolishly optimistic character, representing a misguided hope within the line-up. Schultz does not believe the Jews will be persecuted. 

Ernst Ludwig- A friendly and likeable character who is taking English lessons from Clifford Bradshaw. Though he appears nice, he is secretly a Nazi  sympathiser. 

Fraulein Kost- Though never specifically confirmed as a prostitute, Kost's profession involves offering favours to sailors which indicates that she is selling her body to survive in the tough economic times of Weimar Berlin. Another of Frl. Schneider's tenants, she is a strong sexual character with a commanding nature. 

Kit Kat girls- Best described as beautifully grotesque, these entertainers at the Kit Kat club have settled for less than their social standing with regards to their moral behaviour

Alan Cumming's rendition of 'Wilkommen' in the broadway musical 'Cabaret'