Chicago at the Regent Theatre - review

Slick, sophisticated and sensational, Chicago is a must see show.

Chicago, music and lyrics by Kander and Ebb and original Choreography by Bob Fosse, opened last night at the Regent Theatre, Hanley, Stoke on Trent for a six night run. My advice would be rush and get your tickets, you don’t want to miss the hottest show this year.

From the opening number to the closing bars of music the audience was whisked back to the sensual and violent Chicago of the 1920’s. It was a sheer delight from start to finish.

It tells the story of Roxie Hart, a young woman who shoots dead her lover and is sent to jail and Velma Kelly, another inmate whose nose is pushed out of joint by the arrival of Roxie who is played brilliantly by Faye Brookes with Velma Kelly played by Djalenga Scott. Both girls are phenomenally talented singers and dancers.

Sheila Ferguson of The Three Degrees is playing Matron ‘Mama’Morton and oh boy I knew she could sing but to finally hear her live was such a pleasure, the audience showed their appreciation when she first came on stage to sing.

Russell Watson playing Billy Flynn also received spontaneous applause when he made his first entrance. He is a delightful Billy who is only as loyal as his next payment and headline which can further his career. His vocals were faultless as expected and he was a joy to watch.

Amos Hart, Roxie’s, long suffering and naive but loving husband is played by Jamie Baughan and his performance of Mister Cellophane pulled at my heartstrings.

A highlight of the show for me was the duet between Velma and Matron when they sang ‘Class’. It was a gentle performance and beautifully sung.

The company of dancers are amazing and handle the Bob Fosse style choreography which such precision and talent they were mesmerising.

Chicago is based on a play by Maurine Dallas Watkins who followed the court cases as a journalist in Chicago in 1924 and noticed that the pretty girls seemed to get off but not the plain ones. It was from these court cases that the characters were born.

This show is full of razzle, dazzle and all that jazz, I can’t speak highly enough about how amazingly the cast enthralled the audience. I must also mention the orchestra and their Musical Director Andrew Hilton who are centre-stage throughout the show, they were fabulous.

Chicago The Musical runs until Saturday 19th March 2022 at the Regent Theatre, Hanley, Stoke on Trent. Tickets are available from the link below;

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/chicago/regent-theatre/