Chicago UK Tour Review (Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield)

1 February 2025 I 19:30 I Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The first time I encountered Chicago was through Rob Marshall's 2002 film, an adaptation of the Kander & Ebb musical that I had absolutely adored. Although seeing Walter Bobbie's stage direction, live audiences are gifted the chance to fall in love with the show all over again. A sexy, sophisticated feat, fully sold-out audiences erupt into cheers and applause that speak for themselves. The opening line promises an evening of scandal and treachery, where it comes in abundance!

Roxie Hart is a vaudeville dancer amidst the roaring twenties, the peak of musical settings! When lover Fred Casely threatens to walk out on her, a gruesome murder lands Roxie in prison. Meeting the once-celebrated nightclub singer Velma Kelly, the pair await their trials whilst rehearsing America's greatest comeback. Upon the arrival of hotshot lawyer Billy Flynn, Roxie and Velma are prepared to do anything to ensure their freedom and capture the hearts of the press.

Leading two of the most iconic roles in musical theatre history, Faye Brookes and Djalenga Scott's Roxie and Velma burst their way into our hearts in the ultimate dream paring. Brookes is mightily impressive, a great trust in her comedic facial work to land barrels of laughter, finding a quirkiness to Roxie's plight. I was beyond ecstatic to catch one of her flowers in the final scene! Witnessing Scott's Velma sees a true professional on the stage, unbelievably refined with a loveable hardiness. Her attention to detail within dance sequences is so effortless, with All That Jazz promising a wickedly fun performance.

With Ann Reinking following Bob Fosse's legendary choreography, the style is slick and engaging. I haven't seen Fosse delivered live to this extent, and I hugely admire the originality of the material. Often presented very forward-facing, it begins to feel concert-like aside from narrative storytelling. However, the show's structure embraces that of a vaudevillian club, each song and character entrance a new variety act. Though taking time to feel familiar, Act Two solidifies this vision to feel purposeful, with increased attention to visuals.

Ken Billington's lighting is extraordinary in creating atmosphere, with subtle changes to create unique stage pictures. His design of Razzle Dazzle to implore a circus is where the dream unfolds. Chicago is one of those musicals to give you face-ache from smiling so much! Despite heavy warnings of murder, violence and corruption, your enjoyment knows no bounds!

The ensemble cast is truly next to none. And being seated on the front row of the stalls, the level of eye contact is enchanting. Unbroken, it is intense yet all the more intimidating for Cell Block Tango! Notably, Bethany Adamson and Victoria Anderson do not shy away from the audience, and it makes your evening all the more memorable and enthralling. Star casted Brenda Edwards and Kevin Clifton (Mama Morton and Billy Flynn respectively) are exquisite upon the stage, delivering vocals to take your breath away, both stronger than they have ever been!

Nothing pleases me more than when a musical director is involved in the action! The fabulous Neil Macdonald is gifted a couple of cameos alongside the actors, as the monumental onstage orchestra deliver such an epic score. Even the timing with slapstick sound-effect is so precise, enhancing the comedy and finding endless creativity.

When this current UK tour of Chicago was announced, we immediately booked for two venues, in full confidence the stage show would live up to expectations, and it exceeds them enormously! From empathising with Joshua Lloyd's endearing Amos, to Josh Crowther's melodramatically dorky Fred, characters exude such vibrancy in this brutally funny hit for the ages! Beg, borrow, or steal a ticket to Chicago... and don't forget your bowler hat!