Chicago

Zoe Ventoura and Lucy Maunder are standouts as Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart. Both roles are extremely demanding on voice, characterisation, and dance, and it was a true pleasure to see these actresses at peak performance.

Anthony Warlow charms with a dark edge as the famous lawyer Billy Flynn, enticing the audience to see things his way and to believe that “All I Care About is Love”. The magnificent ostrich plumes carried by the talented dancers create a delightfully retro feel with decadence.

Asabi Goodman is striking as Matron “Mama” Morton, showing the power Mama has at the jail. Peter Rowsthorn is exceptional as Roxie’s much put-upon husband, showing his naivete then slow realisation about what his wife is really like. This is exemplified in “Mr Cellophane”, with his very posture demonstrating how he sees himself.

Chicago is definitely worth seeing – the sound and lighting (Julian Spink and Ken Billington) is atmospheric, the band is sharp (musical director is Anthony Barnhill) and the cast works as a magnificent whole.

Rachel McGrath-Kerr

Photographer: Jeff Busby