Britney Spears: The Cabaret

Even those who aren’t fans of Britney’s music will be won over by Christie Whelan’s tragi-comic turn as the scandalous pop diva in Britney Spears: The Cabaret. Written and directed by Dean Bryant, the show weaves details of Britney’s life – her early relationship with Justin Timberlake, marriage to Kevin Federline, her stints in rehab and meltdowns – through her catalogue of pop hits.

Whelan’s bravura performance has Britney as a cheerfully unhinged all-American blonde who is part homecoming queen, part mallrat. Whelan first appears on stage crooning “Circus”, letting the audience know that when it comes to all this singing and dancing stuff “I call the shots”. As Whelan continues the song, we see flashes of panic or something else in Britney’s eyes, and we wonder who exactly is calling the shots: Britney, her family, the paparazzi or the ‘industry’?

In true cabaret style, Whelan pulls up a stool or perches atop a shiny piano in her minidress and heels to give her version of events. She confesses in her perky southern accent that she doesn’t always “get” what her videos are about, and that many of her scandals are normal embarrassments that could happen to any girl and “y’all know what I’m talking about”. Her slow-burn rendition of “Toxic”, sung atop the piano, was sexy and knowing, and shows that Britney has been blessed with some terrific songs. Whelan’s version of “Piece of Me” – Britney’s challenge to the paparazzi – had the snooty attitude and humour that is sorely lacking in the original version of that song. “Slave” was another inspired arrangement, with Whelan singing it in the guise of Britney, the child star. Little Britney taps and twirls a baton, with a beauty pageant smile, eager to please, singing the words “I’m a slave 4 U ...” It’s one of the many examples in the show where Whelan, together with writer/director Bryant and music arranger Mathew Frank, give Britney’s songs a depth and poignancy missing from the real girl’s music clips. If only the real Britney could inject more fun and self-deprecating humour into her music.

Britney fans will emerge from the show still loving Britney, and those who weren’t fans will find themselves seeking out her music. Who knew “Womaniser” could be so blistering on stage? Britney Spears: The Cabaret manages to be both satirical and redemptive. Don’t miss it.   

Sara Bannister

More Reading

Our Q & A with Christie Whelan

Interview with Christie Whelan in our current print edition.

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