Rating: ★★★★★

In Summary

Genre: Vaudeville Musical

Running Dates: 8 - 12th March 

Where to see it: MK Theatre (UK Tour)

Duration: 2 hr 25 (inc. 20 minute intermission)

Keywords: musical, sexy, murder, 1920s, jazz

Content Warnings: sex, violence, 13+ age recommendation

The Review

“Chicago” the film with Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta Jones, came out when I was a teenager and my best friend and I were obsessed with it. Here was this bold, sexy yet funny film with incredible singing, shocking twists and amazing choreography, so different from anything we’d seen before and very grown up. We watched it on repeat, and we were also lucky enough to be taken to see the stage musical with our school. 

Fast forward almost two decades and “Chicago” the stage musical is touring the UK and I went along for opening night at MK Theatre on 8th March. 

Milton Keynes was transported to 1920’s Chicago last night, becoming a place where murder is the finest form of entertainment. Losely based on events that actually happened, Chicago is the story of Velma Kelly (Djalenga Scott) and Roxie Hart (Faye Brookes), women imprisoned for murdering their lovers, with a chorus of other deadly women alongside them. They both work with sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn (Russell Watson) who uses “Razzle Dazzle” tactics to get guilty women away with murder. In this world, it doesn’t matter if you’re guilty or not, it’s all about the show you put on and what the press think of you. Chicago is just as sexy, sassy and funny as I remembered it from all those years ago. It’s funny to think that this is set 100 years ago as we are now back in our own 2020s but the content still feels fresh and relevant. 

I saw this on International Women’s Day 2022 and it felt appropriate with two strong female leads, looking out for themselves and playing the system that is usually against them. It empowers women to be sexy, dangerous and funny, to get what they want, any means possible. Brookes and Scott are powerful leads as Roxie and Velma, they are both incredible singers and dancers and steal the limelight whenever they are on stage. Russell Watson’s voice is amazing as usual, drawing on his operatic skills to overplay the sleazy lawyer role. Although he’s certainly not the best dancer out of the cast, he still brings humour and class to this character. Shelia Ferguson as Mama Morton still has an impressive stage presence at 74 and does a fabulous rendition of “When You’re Good to Mama”. 

One of the greatest things about Chicago is the integration of the orchestra into the stage and their interaction with the story. The jazz music of the 1920s is at the heart of the story and it’s right that the musicians share the stage. The songs and dance routines are the drivers of the story line, and I love the moments where they introduce someone to do a piece with some sass, for example “For her first number, Miss Roxie Hart would like to sing a song of love and devotion dedicated to her dear husband, Amos”, having just watched her murder her lover and ask Amos to cover for her.

The choreography of Chicago is the work of the late, great icon Bob Fosse, who took inspiration from Vaudeville and Burlesque. The iconic Cell Block Tango chair dance, the use of Burlesque fans in Billy Flynn’s “All I Care About”, and Vaudeville routines of Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart are standouts in the show. 

I still have a strong love for this show. I’d actually surprised myself with how much of the soundtrack I had memorized, almost singing along at some points. It’s laugh out loud funny and you’ll definitely find yourself having a little dance in your seat and humming the catchy songs on your way home. I’m now going to find out where I can watch the 2002 film version to relive the experience all over again and compare.

The Round Up

See if : You love the 2002 film of Chicago, 1920s jazz scene, and scantily clad dancers (both male and female)

Similar to: Cabaret, Moulin Rouge

Review by Louise Mortimer

The UK Chicago tour is in town at MK Theatre until 12th March so get in quickly to see it.

Disclaimer: Tickets were given in return for a review.