Chicago The Musical at Churchill Theatre, Bromley

In June 1988, Bob Dylan set off on what has become known as ‘The Never-Ending Tour’ and apart from a break due to the pandemic, it’s still going 33 years later. Well, that title could also be applied to the Kander & Ebb musical Chicago which seems to have been on tour in the UK forever and now post-covid, it’s off on its travels again taking in something like 28 theatres between now and July of next year and it kicked off last night at the Churchill Theatre Bromley.

Originally performed on Broadway in 1975 before coming to the West End in 1979 at the Cambridge Theatre and running for around 600 performances. It was then revived in 1997 and ran for 15 years before going on its first UK tour. Incredibly although nominated for 11 Tonys, it won none of them and neither did it receive an Olivier from its 3 nominations.

However, it’s probably best known from the film version which was released in 2002 and starred Renée Zelwegger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere and having been nominated for 12 Oscars, it went on to win 6 of them!

Based on a 1926 play by Maureen Dallas Watkins about real-life murderers and trials, Chicago tells in a vaudeville setting, the story of Roxie Hart, a wannabe vaudevillian star who murders her lover and is arrested, despite her attempts to convince her pushover husband, Amos Hart, to lie for her. In the jail, Roxie meets her hero, the famous double-murderess and nightclub performer Velma Kelly. When both acquire the same lawyer, the greedy and lustful Billy Flynn, tensions come to a head as they vie for the spotlight.

Now a new generation (and some old ones) of theatregoers around the country will get the chance to see this amazing musical live at a theatre near them. However, the problem with this particular production are the performers playing the five main characters. They need to be powerful as there’s a lot going on stage behind them. There’s the ten-piece band who at times are part of the action with Musical Director Andrew Hilton mugging it up – he even has a speaking part. Then there’s the amazing ensemble of dancers and singers wearing very little and performing Bob Fosse’s iconic, sexy choreography splendidly. They’re all arms and legs and they leave very little to the imagination as they strut their stuff to Kander and Ebb’s fabulous music – it’s all vigorous, kinetic energy for the entire show – there’s no set so there’s nowhere for anyone to hide. In front of them, the lead actors need a lot of charisma and star quality and this main cast just miss out on both. Darren Day as Billy Flynn just doesn’t exude the cunning, manipulative traits the character demands. Sinitta Malone has the meaty role of Mama Morton but never gets her teeth into it and Joel Montague as Amos Hart seems too young and nerdy – why would the gorgeous, sexy Roxie marry him? Djalenga Scott as Velma and Faye Brookes as Roxie are both very good but they just don’t have the X-factor that’s needed to light up the stage.

Having said that, Chicago is an unstoppable juggernaut whoever’s in it and it’s just a wonderful theatrical happening that every lover of musicals should experience at least once in their lifetime. The superb songs just keep coming – who can resist tapping their toes to ‘All That Jazz’, ‘When You’re Good To Mama’, ‘Mister Cellophane’ and of course ‘Razzle Dazzle’. It’s not the greatest book in the world but it doesn’t matter as it’s all about the songs and the choreography. Although it’s now over 45 years old, it will resonate with today’s audience as it satirises the quest for fame at almost any price – something Youtubers and influencers know all about today.

So, if you want a great night out, then Chicago is coming your way. Go and treat yourself to some theatrical Viagra courtesy of an amazing group of sensual dancers and enjoy all that jazz.

Review by Alan Fitter

Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloid.

Chicago The Musical
at Churchill Theatre, Bromley
Monday 22nd to Saturday 27th November 2021
https://churchilltheatre.co.uk/

 

CHICAGO UK AND IRELAND TOUR LISTINGS 2022

MONDAY 7 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2022
Liverpool Empire
Russell Watson – Billy Flynn, Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

MONDAY 14 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2022
Congress Theatre, Eastbourne
www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk
Russell Watson – Billy Flynn, Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

MONDAY 21 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2022
The Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Russell Watson – Billy Flynn, Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

MONDAY 28 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 5 MARCH 2022
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
www.everymantheatre.org.uk
Russell Watson – Billy Flynn, Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

TUESDAY 8 MARCH – SATURDAY 12 MARCH 2022
Milton Keynes Theatre
Russell Watson – Billy Flynn, Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

MONDAY 14 MARCH – SATURDAY 19 MARCH 2022
Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent
Russell Watson – Billy Flynn, Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

MONDAY 21 MARCH – SATURDAY 26 MARCH 2022
Regent Theatre, Ipswich
www.ipswichtheatres.co.uk
Russell Watson – Billy Flynn, Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

MONDAY 28 MARCH – SATURDAY 2 APRIL 2022
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
www.aberdeenperformingarts.com
Russell Watson – Billy Flynn, Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

TUESDAY 5 APRIL – SATURDAY 16 APRIL 2022
Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin
www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie
Russell Watson – Billy Flynn, Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

TUESDAY 19 APRIL – SATURDAY 23 APRIL 2022
The Orchard Theatre, Dartford
www.orchardtheatre.co.uk
Russell Watson – Billy Flynn, Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

MONDAY 25 APRIL – SATURDAY 30 APRIL 2022
Bristol Hippodrome
Russell Watson – Billy Flynn, Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

MONDAY 2 MAY – SATURDAY 7 MAY 2022
New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Russell Watson – Billy Flynn, Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

TUESDAY 10 MAY – SATURDAY 14 MAY 2022
Leeds Grand Theatre
www.leedsheritagetheatres.com
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

TUESDAY 17 MAY – SATURDAY 21 MAY 2022
New Wimbledon Theatre
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

MONDAY 23 MAY – SATURDAY 28 MAY 2022
Manchester Opera House
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

TUESDAY 31 MAY – SATURDAY 4 JUNE 2022
Sunderland Empire
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

MONDAY 6 JUNE – SATURDAY 11 JUNE 2022
Grand Opera House, Belfast
www.goh.co.uk
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

TUESDAY 14 JUNE – SATURDAY 18 JUNE 2022
Theatre Royal, Plymouth
www.theatreroyal.com
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

MONDAY 20 JUNE – SATURDAY 25 JUNE 2022
New Theatre, Cardiff
www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

TUESDAY 5 JULY – SATURDAY 9 JULY 2022
Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield
www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

MONDAY 11 JULY – SATURDAY 16 JULY 2022
Theatre Royal, Norwich
www.norwichtheatre.org
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.

MONDAY 18 JULY – SATURDAY 23 JULY 2022
New Theatre Oxford
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly

MONDAY 25 JULY – SATURDAY 30 JULY 2022
Venue Cymru, Llandudno
www.venuecymru.co.uk
Faye Brookes – Roxie Hart & Djalenga Scott – Velma Kelly.