REVIEW: Chicago the Musical at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Chicago the Musical 

Newcastle Theatre Royal 

Until Saturday 2 November 2024

The musical that’s sassy, sultry and dangerous to know is back in town. A talented cast and on stage orchestra perform all of the memorable hits like All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle in a show that captivates the audience. Chicago is a really classy treat.

Set in prohibition-era America, the story is based upon a 1926 play, that was written by newspaper reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins, which looked at the actual crimes and criminals that they reported on. It shows that the concept of fleeting celebratory status is both fickle and not a new concept.

The play is intended to be a satire of the system and how those with money can beat it. The action comes in announced sketches – just like the vaudeville theatre that was popular at the time.

After opening with the classic All That Jazz, the story follows 2 ladies that have murdered the men in their lives. Velma Kelly (Djalenga Scott) is a star of the stage who killed her husband and her sister when he found them in bed together. She is joined in prison by chorus girl Roxie Hart (Faye Brookes) who assassinated her lover Fred Casely (Josh Crowther) after he declared he was going to leave her.

Velma and Roxy find themselves in the same block in Cook County Jail being looked after by Matron ‘Mama’ Morton (Brenda Edwards) who arranges, at a cost, legal representation by Billy Flynn (Kevin Clifton). He has the reputation to get girls off the hook, after all, the county isn’t in the habit of hanging women. He doesn’t come cheap and his methods are somewhat suspect. Roxie’s husband Amos (Joshua Lloyd) seems to be a pawn rather than a player in the lawyer’s plans. Chicago follows the cases and desire, of the characters, to maintain their fame.

The staging of the show is more unusual in that most of the stage is occupied by the orchestra who reach up to the top on raked seating, like a classic movie from the era. This leaves a small portion at the front of the stage for the action, with any unused members of the ensemble sat around, watching the action. The legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, who also wrote the book and directed the original production, still leaves his mark on how the movement and dancing flows. A lot of hands and feet move during many of the numbers.

William Ivey Long's costume design adds to the classy sultry style that helps make the show stand out. Rather than being reliant on props, the show is about appearances, dancing and the music. Musical director Neil MacDonald leads a large group of musicians who remain in view for most of the show and that visual certainly adds to the experience. This is especially the case during the Entr'acte in which the band are given some opportunity to show off their talent.

The cast were pretty much flawless. There is always a danger when 'names' are brought in that they will be a weak link, but that is not the case here. Whilst some of the cast have been on television, they have plenty of theatre experience and they thrive in the live setting. Brenda Edwards commands the stage as Mama Morton whilst Kevin Clifton swiftly manoeuvres as the slippery lawyer. Faye Brookes and Djalenga Scott positively fizz in their roles as the murderous wives Roxie and Velma.

This is a wonderful production that I feel I really enjoyed. There is something magical in live theatre when all of pieces fit this well together.

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Tristram Kenton

Tickets:

Chicago plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Monday 28 October – Saturday 2 November 2024. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.