Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield – until 9th July 2022
Reviewed by Alison Beaumont
4****
Chicago is an American musical set in in the 1920’s and based on real life murders and trials. It follows Roxie Hart who is a wannabe vaudevillian who murders her lover and tries to convince her pushover husband, Amos to lie for her, however despite her attempts Roxie is arrested for the murder. Whilst in jail Roxie meets her hero and nightclub performer Velma Kelly who is awaiting trial for the double murder of her husband and sister. Roxie and Velma both hire the same greedy lawyer Billy Flynn and both try to be in the spotlight.
Velma (Dajalenga Scott) started Act 1 off with All That Jazz and certainly set a precedent for the rest of the show. Her leg lines when dancing were amazing to watch.
Roxie is played by the famous Faye Brookes (best known as Kate Connor in Coronation Street and runner up in Dancing on Ice), she played the character well and I thought Faye and Lee Mead (who shot to fame after winning the role of Joseph in the BBC series Any Dream will Do) and played Billy Flynn the lawyer were outstanding both together and individually.
Mamma Morton should have been played by Brenda Edwards who unfortunately due to an injury was unable to perform. However this was played by her understudy Michelle Andrews. Initially I was disappointed that Brenda was not able to perform as I am sure she would play the role well, however, having said that other than one tiny mistake Michelle Andrews did not disappoint.
The music and the dancing certainly made this musical.
For me the orchestra was fantastic and the usage of the musical director (Andrew Hilton) during the performance was a welcomed first for me. The Entr’acte was amazing and I could have listened to it again.
The Company were all very talented, the boys especially were great to watch.
I wouldn’t say this is on my all time list of top 10 favourites, but if this is your genre then it is definitely up there and worthy of going to see.