Book: Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb
Music: John Kander and Fred Ebb
Choreography: Ann Reinking (recreated by Gary Chryst)
Director: Walter Bobbie (recreated by Tánia Nardini)
Much-loved musical Chicago shines a bright spotlight on the bawdy, gaudy, naughty exploits of 1920s chorus gals Velma Kelly and Roxy Hart and their murderous clamour for the headlines.
Based on the real-life antics of Jazz Age murderesses Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner reported on by Chicago Tribune neophyte journalist Maurine Watkins, Watkins first turned the almost unbelievable but true tales of the pretty pair into a smash hit play in 1926. That play, in turn inspired two movies (one with Ginger Rogers) and eventually the 1975 Kander and Ebb musical.
This current touring production retains the original staging with the fine-sounding, ten-piece band, centre stage. The famous minimalism, all-black costumes and scant number of props, mean that it’s up to the cast to provide the sparkle. That they do in spades in this production. Djalenga Scott is a sure-footed and strong-voiced Velma and much-loved Strictly Come Dancing star Janette Manrara is a revelation, acting and singing, as well as dancing in the central role of Roxie. The central pair are more than ably supported by a raft of theatre talent: Darren Day’s powerful vocals add more oomph than usual to the role of lawyer Billy Flynn; Jordan Lee Davis lends their impressive vocal gymnastics to Mary Sunshine and Joshua Lloyd elicits the maximum sympathy as Mr. Cellophane himself, Amos Hart. 80s pop diva Sinitta Malone also appears as jailhouse fixer Mama Morton.
Fans of the Bob Fosse-style choreography, originally by Ann Reinking, will be glad to know it remains in place here, as do all of the classic songs, well-executed by the choreographically and vocally gifted cast.
The staging may be simplistic but there is quality oozing from every pore of this show. A well-timed and much-welcomed staging of a theatrical classic. It still packs a punch and packs in the audiences too.
Runs until 22 August 2025 then continues to tour.
