“SEXUALLY SENSATIONAL SHOW, NOT TO BE MISSED”
On Monday evening I saw Chicago the Musical at the Hawth theatre in Crawley which was out of this world! I remember seeing the film many years ago so was excited for the stage show as It was like seeing it for the first time again.
The show’s star studded cast includes West End and EastEnders star John Partridge as Billy Flynn, Coronation Street actress Hayley Tamaddon as Roxie Hart, and X Factor winner Sam Bailey as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton. Although this specific performance Tamaddon did not perform and the role was played by understudy Lindsey Tierney who was fantastic.
What is Chicago about? Set in the roaring 1920s, singer Roxie Hart shoots her lover dead and along with Cell Block rival, double-murderess Velma Kelly, they fight to keep from death row with the help of smooth talking lawyer, Billy Flynn.
The hit show includes all of the classic Chicago songs, All That Jazz, When You’re Good to Mama, Cell Block Tango & All I Care About to name just a few. The ensemble cast were also fantastic and the backing vocals and dancing was perfection.
I must say the stars of the show in my eyes had to be John Partridge as Billy Flynn and Sophie Carmen-Jones as Velma Kelly. There performances were incredible, Carmen-Jones voice literally made the hairs on my arms stand to attention, the whole audience were hanging onto every last word she sang! Phenomenal! And as for Partridge, this role was made for him, I especially enjoyed his rendition of All I Care About in which he kept the last note going for what seemed an eternity and had the whole audience in uproar with amazement! BRAVO!
This has got to be one of the best musicals I have seen and I highly recommend you try and see it! If you have already seen it let me know what you thought!
Chicago is on at the Hawth until Saturday, June 4th.
SHEFFIELD – Lyceum Theatre
EDINBURGH – Edinburgh Playhouse
WOLVERHAMPTON – The Grand Theatre
SOUTHEND – Cliffs Pavilion
BRISTOL – Bristol Hippodrome
AYLESBURY – Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
PLYMOUTH – Theatre Royal Plymouth
CARDIFF – Wales Millennium Centre
NEWCASTLE – Theatre Royal
NOTTINGHAM – Theatre Royal
BELFAST – Grand Opera House
ABERDEEN – His Majesty’s Theatre
CANTERBURY – Marlowe Theatre
NORWICH – Theatre Royal
LEEDS – Grand Theatre
BIRMINGHAM – New Alexandra Theatre
More venues to be announced soon!