Djalenga Scott and Faye Brookes in Chicago at the Milton Keynes Theatre and Touring. Picture: Tristram Kenton
Chicago continues at Milton Keynes Theatre until 12 March 2022 and then tours until 30 July.
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The international multi-award-winning show Chicago hits the stage at Milton Keynes Theatre this week with all the ‘razzle dazzle’ you’d expect from the smash hit. Featuring a star-studded cast, including classical singer Russell Watson and chart-topping Sheila Ferguson, this current run of the show is not to be missed.
The set will be familiar to anyone who has seen this groundbreaking production of the John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse musical. The curtains open on a simple set that remains throughout. Dominated by a tiered stage that houses the superb jazz band led by Andrew Hilton, the musicians act as a backdrop to the small section of stage at the front where the cast relays the story. Apart from two ladders at the side of the stage, there are no other props, ensuring focus remains on the actors with dramatic lighting adding to the ambience.
It’s of course based on the true story about the ‘murderess row’ in 1924 Chicago, where over a dozen women were on trial for murder, influenced by illegal alcohol and easy access to firearms from the gangster mobs that ruled the roost. Leading ladies Faye Brookes as Roxie Hart and Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly compete for newspaper headlines and the love of the public to avoid a guilty verdict and a sorry end at the gallows.
Larger than life lawyer, Billy Flynn (Watson) and Matron ‘Mama’ Morton (Ferguson) help the ladies to manipulate the outside world, whilst lining their pockets with cold hard cash. Accompanied by a soundtrack of well-known songs like ‘All That Jazz’ and ‘Cell Block Tango’, audiences get an insight into the sleazy underbelly of 1920s America, where greed, corruption and treachery take precedence.
Dressed to kill, the cast is kitted out in the infamous Chicago attire of suspenders, slinky dresses and fishnet tights. The dancing is just as fabulous and sensuous with incredible all-round performances from the entire cast. It’s hard to peel your eyes away from the stage – you’ll be hooked from beginning to end.
Definitely one to watch. A show that ticks all the boxes, with drama, comedy and musical theatre pizzazz, it’s easy to see why Chicago remains a firm favourite. It could be watched again and again.
Hannah Grimmette
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