CHICAGO. The Company. Photo Paul Coltas
Well the weather might be cold outside, but this musical is certainly smoking hot! In fact I can also add three more s’s - it’s sexy, it’s sassy and it sizzles.
I’m not a huge fan of the 2002 film but have always loved the stage show. This particular production at The Mayflower Theatre is my favourite so far. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it but then realised that it was the first time I had seen the band on the stage.
This immediately makes you feel like you are actually at a cabaret club but it was also endearing to watch the fun interactions between the cast and the musicians who looked like they were having a ball.
Another variation, a small one perhaps, was that Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart are both brunettes.
In past productions one has been blonde and in the film that is also the case, but somehow this tweak made them appear more of a double act.
In this touring production Roxie Hart is played by Faye Brookes who is just incredible in this role.
Her facial expressions during, ‘We Both Reached for the Gun,’ were brilliant, in fact her spectrum of physical emotions is genius and her comedy timing throughout is impeccable.
Djalenga Scott was a striking Velma Kelly.
Due to her elegant stature and sleek bun she could be mistaken for a well spoken English young lady not the feisty murderess she really is.
Djalenga brings a beautiful grace to her dancing, making it look so easy anyone could get up there and do it, but when she shows Roxie the dance routines she used to perform with her sister we see the comedic Velma shine.
Brenda Edwards gave a strong and solid performance as Mama Morton, the prison warden and, “keeper of the keys”.
Her rendition of, ‘When You’re Good to Mama,’ was immensely powerful, and although she helps her female inmates in exchange for money I couldn’t help but think those ladies are in safe hands! Star of stage and screen, Darren Day, performed the role of the suave and smooth talking lawyer, Billy Flynn, with finesse.
His years of experience in the industry give him that real stage presence and assuredness.
One of my favourite numbers in the show is, ‘All I Care About’.
Billy stands singing surrounded by dancing girls holding feather fans.
At one point they circle round him so he looks like an oyster in a shell, or perhaps it can also represent Billy as the centre of their world at that time relying on him to get them acquitted.
The dancers are sensational and their synchronisation is extraordinary.
They demonstrate mesmerising agility and acrobatic skills particularly during, ‘Razzle Dazzle’, but also watch out for the stunts on the ladders either side of the stage, which Roxie and Velma also hang from.
Not only can the dancers dance brilliantly but they have fantastic singing voices as well.
‘Cell Block Tango’ is a stand out performance in the show, the female dancers bring attitude and girl power to the stage and recite their individual stories with intensity and humour.
There are so many fantastic moments I can’t mention them all, but I do want to mention Jordan Lee Davies who played the reporter, Mary Sunshine.
He looks beautiful and has an angelic soprano voice and gentle personality to match but wait for the surprise! Lastly, Joe Dale, a member of the ensemble, was hilarious portraying the different members of the jury.
There were two really lovely gestures in the production.
Firstly, Brenda Edwards introduced Neil MacDonald, the Musical Director, back to the stage for the start of Act Two, as, ‘Maestro!’ At the end of the show he announced the names of the cast as they came on to take their bows.
I have never seen this done before but it really did solidify the special relationship between the musicians and the cast.
The audience was made up of people of all ages and the cast certainly did, ‘razzle dazzle ‘em as they gave a well deserved standing ovation at the end.
It really is a show that leaves you wanting more but we were treated to a final rendition of, ‘All That Jazz’ by the band once the cast members had left the stage - it felt like the nugget at the end of a Marvel film and the cherry on the cake!
Don’t miss out on seeing this stunning show, running at The Mayflower Theatre until the 23rd of November.
