Chicago – New Wimbledon Theatre, London

Composers: John Kander and Fred Ebb

Adaptor: David Thompson

Director: Walter Bobbie

The hit musical Chicago is finally back in the UK, embarking on a national tour, currently playing at New Wimbledon Theatre. A score so highly recognised, celebrated and adored by many, the stakes are always high for a show’s return. The production comes straight from an award-winning run on Broadway to dazzle British audiences.

Led by Strictly’s Janette Manrara as the lovable and playful Roxie Hart, and Darren Day as the swoon-worthy Billy Flynn, this touring production amazes from the outset. Manrara, known for her dancing, has a beautifully pure voice and performs Roxie’s iconic songs with a refreshing innocence and honesty. Day makes Flynn as desirable as ever, ensuring a very confident presence on stage. Although there are some slight vocal issues, Day’s performance is truly believable and powerful.

Walter Bobbie’s direction, with the assistance of Tania Nardini bringing the original direction to life, is a true celebration of the history of Chicago, honouring previous productions, whilst feeling entirely contemporary. It feels true to its roots without feeling like a rerun of something we’ve all seen before; it’s a gorgeously fresh production, and it’s evident how much fun the cast is having on stage throughout.

One point which should be considered is that some of the staging has not translated particularly well to the New Wimbledon Theatre. When performing Funny Honey,Roxie is (presumably) sitting atop a piano on far stage left, yet for the audience on that side, nothing is in view, and the whole song is missed. Perhaps this is an unavoidable issue specific to this theatre, but a little bit of a disappointment to miss Roxie’s opening number.

Brenda Edwards returns to the show as Mama Morton, having made her West End debut in the role in 2006, and brings immensely powerful vocals. Jordan Lee Davies is jaw-droppingly entertaining as Mary Sunshine, whilst Joshua Lloyd is the perfect casting for the lovable rogue Amos Hart. The cast has a beautifully united front, and with the ensemble, Bobbie has created an incredibly slick show.

Djalenga Scott is showstopping as Velma Kelly, the epitome of what the role and Chicago should be. Her performance is just glorious, a true triple threat.

Ann Reinking’s choreography, supported by Gary Chryst to bring the original choreo into the show, is a perfect homage to Bob Fosse’s award-winning original dance. A wonderful blend of new and old, feeling traditional yet original, the classic Fosse iconography has been captured, yet feels contemporary. The ensemble performs the choreography with care and professionalism. Fosse’s iconic original choreography to Hot Honey Rag is performed in the production, which feels a perfectly appropriate nod to the show’s history and success.

Musical director Neil MacDonald and the band perform on simple black tiered staging, filling the back of the stage. The actors move amongst the band and enter/exit the stage through the stairs. It is a brilliant, clever design (by John Lee Beatty) which Bobbie uses to marry the actors with the music. Chicago would not be what it is without Kander & Ebb’s instantly recognisable score, so to have the band on stage and interacting with the cast is a beautiful celebration of the music, keeping it forefront and centre for the entire show. MacDonald leads with confidence and playfulness, bringing out the joy and vivacity of the score.

William Ivey Long’s costumes are sleek, sexy and reek of 1930s glamour. They’re a modern take on the original costumes from the stage and screen, whilst feeling like dance wear, and costumes all at once. They embody the show entirely and create a unity between the performers.

This touring production of Chicago is a prime example of celebrating a show adored by many, whilst enabling new audiences to enjoy and fall in love with it. A true worship of Kander & Ebb’s iconic score, Fosse’s history-making choreography – it’s difficult not to immerse oneself within the world of Chicago and revel in its sexy, playful and entertaining story.