Cabaret

Cabaret is a diverse form of theatrical entertainment. It combines music, song, dance, recitation, and drama into a single experience.

These performances typically occur in venues like pubs, casinos, hotels, restaurants, or nightclubs. Unlike a traditional theater, the audience usually sits at tables while dining or drinking. A master of ceremonies, or M.C., often introduces the various acts. In many European traditions, cabaret is performed by an ensemble of actors. In the United States, the term often refers to striptease, burlesque, drag shows, or a solo vocalist accompanied by a pianist.

The mechanism of a cabaret show relies on the interaction between performers and the audience. Performers often use satire or political commentary to engage the crowd. In some venues, the entertainment is highly specialized. For instance, the Boite a Fursy focused on current events and politics. The Cabaret de la fin du Monde used servers dressed as Greek and Roman gods. These servers presented living tableaus, which are silent, lifelike scenes. Other venues might focus on purely theatrical short plays or more erotic themes.

There are many distinct types of cabaret venues. In the 18th century, the café-chantant emerged in France. These venues offered food alongside music, singers, or magicians. The famous Café des Aveugles featured a small orchestra of blind musicians.

By 1900, Paris held more than 150 of these cafés-chantants. Later, the music hall became a major competitor. Music halls offered much more lavish productions than traditional cabarets. They featured elaborate costumes, singing, and large-scale dancing. The Printania music garden was a massive example, seating twelve thousand spectators for shows featuring acrobats, mimes, and even elephants.

The history of the word cabaret is quite old. It likely stems from the Picard or Walloon words *camberete* or *cambret*, meaning a small room. The first written record of *kaberet* appears in a 1275 document from Tournai. In France, cabarets appeared in Paris by the late 15th century. They were distinct from taverns because they served food on cloth-covered tables. By the 17th century, they became essential meeting places for artists and writers. Famous figures like Moliere and Jean Racine frequented the Mouton Blanc cabaret.

Modern cabaret was shaped by several key figures and dates. In 1881, Rodolphe Salis created the first modern cabaret in Montmartre. He acted as a "gentleman-cabaretier" and used monologues to mock the wealthy and political leaders.

In 1889, Joseph Oller opened the Moulin Rouge. This venue became famous for its large red imitation windmill. It was also the birthplace of the French Cancan dance.

The Moulin Rouge helped launch the careers of performers like Édith Piaf.

Cabaret styles evolved uniquely across different nations. In Germany, the *Kabarett* style developed around 1901 at the Überbrettl venue. It was known for political satire and a specific type of "gallows humor." In the Netherlands, it is called *kleinkunst*, which means "small art."

Dutch comedians often perform an *oudejaarsconference* on national television every New Year's Eve. In Poland, the *kabaret* often uses comedy sketches and songs. Polish performers sometimes use double entendre to hide political satire from censors.

This tradition traces back to the Zielony Balonik literary cabaret in Kraków.

In the United States, cabaret arrived in 1911 via Jesse Louis Lasky. The style changed significantly due to the influence of jazz music. Chicago cabaret focused on large band ensembles during the Prohibition Era. New York cabaret took a different path by focusing on famous vocalists.

Singers like Nina Simone and Eartha Kitt became central to the New York scene. Today, the legacy of cabaret continues through various music halls and traditional satirical clubs.