Starring Faye Brookes, Sinitta Malone and Kevin Clifton in this new production of the sexy sizzler that is Chicago some fifty years after the show debuted on Broadway in 1975. Please note that as the tour progresses nationwide, the lead roles are subject to change.

On a cold wet dank November pre Christmas night Stoke is  transported back to the 1920s,  Chicago, and introduced to   Roxie Hart,  housewife and nightclub dancer who  has  murdered her  lover after he  was unwise enough to tell her he was leaving 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. Audiences today will be familiar with the ploy beloved by Collen Rooney and Rebecca Vardy in the recent Waggatha Christie trial ( no murder involved, Jamie and Wayne  mercifully live!)

The show is the creative brainchild of  musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb, and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse. The score shimmies and shimmers with the likes of  “Razzle Dazzle,” “Cell Block Tango,” and “All That Jazz”, all now firmly entrenched as musical  standards.

The stars shone. Faye Brookes, was commanding  as Roxie Hart, “Razzle Dazzle” brought the house down .Opposite her was the dynamic Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly.  Both vying to be top Bitch.

Kevin Clifton excels as slick lawyer Billy Flynn,  bringing humour as well as sleaze to “We Both Reached for the Gun”.

Joshua Lloyd brings heart  and  humour  to the role of Amos Hart, Roxie’s long sufering husband. His performance, particularly in “Mister Cellophane,” was poignant and humorous, capturing the deep sadness of Amos’ situation with genuine empathy. Lloyd’s timing and sincerity made his character’s eventual heartbreak all the more affecting

Last but not least, Simon Cowell favourite and early protégé Sinitta Malone,  swaggers as Mama Morton.

Musical director Rob Fisher leads a live orchestra , which he conducts on stage who perform with vigour and vim , the perfect foil to the stylishly executed choreography. This represents the productions only real extravagance with otherwise a minimalistic set and restrained lighting happy to allow the dancers and dancing to shine.

An enthusiastic audience lapped up the fine fare offering a closing standing ovation for a fine show.

Chicago plays at the Regent Theatre until Saturday 30th November 2024 and continues on nationwide  tour.