REVIEW: Chicago

© Paul Coltas

The temperatures were sweltering outside the theatre while inside the auditorium a fiery Broadway musical sent the temperatures soaring even higher with passion.

Chicago is now playing at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.  

This record-breaking jazz-infused show premiered way back in 1975 and was directed and choreographed by none other than Bob Fosse himself.

The success of the Broadway show led to a West End production in 1979, and in 2002 an award-winning Hollywood film adaptation starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere and Renée Zellweger was released to such universal acclaim that it garnered over $300million at the box-office.

The scandalous story of this smoky and sassy cabaret style musical is partly based upon real-life stories taken from backstage shenanigans of Roaring Twenties chorus girls and their lovers, infidelity and murder, friendship and betrayal, jail and the legal system, and the twisted and thin line between notoriety and celebrity.

Despite the heavy and brooding themes – which were initially met with disapproval by some – this musical is full of vibrancy and scintillating excitement that infects the audience to such a degree that people were soon tapping their toes to the melodious tunes.

The two major characters – the arch rivals Roxie and Velma – are absolutely stunning in this production.

Janette Manrara (Strictly Come Dancing) is sensational and smoking hot as the fiercely ambitious Roxie. Her movements during the ‘ventriloquist’ scene with the smooth talking lawyer Billy (Darren Day, perfect casting) are so in keeping with the ‘lifeless’ twitching of a wooden doll that you begin to wonder if she’s a contortionist.

The charming Djalenga Scott has a strong and spellbinding voice for her role as Velma. When she belts out All That Jazz it was like a summer thunderstorm had erupted in the theatre.

The ensemble cast and crew, including the orchestra that provides live music throughout the show, are an absolute joy to behold.

The glitzy glamour, seductive dancing and sensual styles are captured with flair and imagination in this erotically charged musical.

This deliciously decadent show celebrates carnality and morality, sometimes in the same melody and the same movement.  

Chicago is one of the hottest nights at the theatre.

Verdict: ★★★★★

Chicago is now playing at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 28th June