Book: Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse
Music: John Kander
Lyrics: Fred Ebb
Director: Walter Bobbie
Sassy, racy, sexy, exuberance is the story of Roxie Hart, housewife and night club dancer. She murders a casual lover who decides to leave her. She is sent to jail where at the advice of the prison matron ‘Mama’ Morton, she employs Billy Flynn, an expensive, sleek, corrupt lawyer. He changes and embroiders her story in order to generate high media interest creating fame and notoriety and hopefully acquittal. Roxy adores the media attention much to the disgust of the vaudevillian, Velma Kelly her fellow cellmate who before Roxie’s arrival was Billy Flynn’s star client.
The original story of Chicago was written as a comedy by Chicago Tribune writer Maurine Dallas Watkins in the 1920s. The characters Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly were based on the real-life events of Mrs Beulah Annan, and Mrs Belva Gaertner and the manipulation of the justice system by the media.
Many years later the legendary director and choreographer Bob Fosse bought the rights to the book and together with the musical team of John Kander and Fred Ebb (of Cabaret fame) created the musical Chicago which ran for two years. In 1995 the musical was revisited and first opened on Broadway in 1996. It has gone on to win six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, and a Grammy.
Chicago abounds with spectacular songs and dance routines accompanied by an excellent thirteen strong ensemble. There is such energy throughout the musical, with precision throughout all the dance routines. In particular, the ensembles’ ostrich feather dance routine transports the audience back to the roaring twenties.
The leads are all superb. Djalenga Scott as Velma sings beautifully and with the ensemble her opening song and dance routine to All that Jazz is mesmerising. The very talented Faye Brookes is perfectly cast as Roxie Hart. She acts, sings and dances the role so well. Special mention must be given to her performance of We Both Reached for the Gun, when she well is manipulated by her lawyer Billy Flynn as a ventriloquist’s dummy. Kevin Clifton of Strictly Come Dancing fame plays the part of Billy Flynn with real panache as he struts about the stage to the numbers All I Care About is Love and Razzle Dazzle.
Brenda Edwards as Mama Morton is a central character and is a delight when she sings When You’re Good to Mama. The down trodden and gullible character Amos Hart (Joshua Lloyd) wins the audience’s affection with his characterisation and song Mr Cellophane.
The on stage ten-piece orchestra adds to the glamour. The trumpets, trombone, reeds, banjo, double bass/tuba, banjo, drums and pianist set the atmosphere and pace and join in the spectacle.
This touring performance of Chicago is not to be missed. It tells the story of treachery, murder, greed, corruption, adultery and the part the media plays in, creating a cynical look at the justice system. The story is perhaps as relevant today as it was then.
It is an absolutely riveting performance with captivating dance routines and songs that make for an unforgettable, most sexy, musical.
Runs until 1 February 2025