Matt Willis will reprise his role in CABARET

Actor, presenter, Brit Award winner and founding member of Busted Matt Willis previously played the role in the West End, and will be stepping in for Skylar Astin, whose final performance is set for 12 December 2026. Willis will play the Emcee from from 14 December 2026 until 23 January 2027, when he will take his final bow alongside Sarah Hyland, who plays Sally Bowles.

Astin and Hyland, who made their West End debuts in the production this year, are joined in the cast by Ronan Burns as Ernst Ludwig, Lindsay Atherton as Fraulein Kost/Fritzie, Baker Mukasa as Clifford Bradshaw, Ruthie Henshall as Fraulein Schneider, and Robert Hands as Herr Schultz.

Cabaret is set in 1930s Berlin during the rise of the Nazis, where the English night club performer Sally Bowles works in the notorious Kit Kat Club. It follows her relationship with the American writer Cliff Bradshaw, while boarding house owner Fraulein Schneider and her Jewish lover Herr Schultz struggle to navigate the growing dangers in Germany. It is based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood, with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a book by Joe Masteroff. It's directed by Rebecca Frecknall, with set and costume design by Tom Scutt, and choreography by Julia Cheng.

Willis said: “To get to step into what felt like a once-in-a-lifetime role for a second time is beyond exciting. I love this show so much and feel honoured to be asked back.”

Cabaret is playing at the Kit Kat Club until Saturday 30 January 2027.

Cabaret Tickets