New Wimbledon Theatre presented the latest touring production of the “sleek and sassy” successful West End musical Chicago. Set in the heart of 1920s America, the inner moral compass has virtually vanished, underground clubs are a common part of the social landscape and literally anything goes.
‘Bringing West End glitz & glamour to regional theatres’: CHICAGO – Touring
Theatre, still recovering from economic and talent loss, following Covid-19 is understandably taking a safe approach to productions.
‘Spine tingling’: CHICAGO – Edinburgh Playhouse (UK Tour) ★★★★
Chicago’s tale of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery whispers back into the Edinburgh Playhouse with a thrum of double bass, a twitching off-beat on the drums and a haunting moan of muted trumpet.
‘Full to the brim with theatricality’: THE SHOW MUST GO ON – The Lost Alhambra ★★★★★
The Show Must Go On is an immersive, cabaret dining experience which packs a punch. The night is complete with a three hour show, a two course meal, a welcome cocktail and bottomless Prosecco, you couldn’t really ask for more.
FROM DOWN UNDER: Chicago in Melbourne
Set to dazzle and divert, the Broadway revival of Chicago returns for its third Melbourne sentence with as sexy and sinewy a company of dancers as could possibly be wished for.
NEWS: Caroline Flack joins the West End production of Chicago as Roxie Hart
Caroline Flack will star as Roxie Hart in Chicago from 10 December 2018 until the end of the show’s run at the Phoenix Theatre on 5 January 2019.
NEWS: YouTuber & star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Todrick Hall will star as Billy Flynn in the West End’s Chicago
Star of RuPaul’s Drag Race, American Idol and YouTube sensation Todrick Hall will star as Billy Flynn in Chicago from 19 November 2018 until the end of the show’s run at the Phoenix Theatre on 5 January 2019.
NEWS: Alexandra Burke & Duncan James will extend their runs in the West End production of Chicago
Due to popular demand, Alexandra Burke and Duncan James will extend their runs in Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre. Burke will play Roxie Hart until 10 November 2018 and James will play Billy Flynn until 17 November.
‘Always enjoyable to see women characters completely take centre stage’: CHICAGO – West End
Chicago must be praised for not pulling punches in exploring subtexts around gender politics and in integrating serious themes with a thoroughly entertaining show.
‘Feels as though it has a new lease of life about it’: CHICAGO – West End ★★★★
Thanks to the strong casting, there seems to be a new lease of life in this classic production of Ebb and Kander’s musical Chicago.
Mark Shenton views the latest week of news, openings, non-openings & ‘absolutely remarkable” awards
News, reviews, interviews, commentary and farewells from London, New York and beyond, including The Stage Debut Awards, Sylvia at the Old Vic and regional openings in Chichester and Bristol.
NEWS: Laura Tyrer secures Velma Kelly role in West End Chicago on new TV audition show
Laura Tyrer will join the West End cast of Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre, playing the role of Velma Kelly from Monday 24 September through to Saturday 6 October 2018. Tyrer joins Alexandra Burke as Roxie Hart, Duncan James as Billy Flynn, Mazz Murray as Mama Morton and Paul Rider as Amos Hart.
Post-Edinburgh Mark Shenton offers his round-up of the week ahead in London & New York
Mark Shenton rounds up the latest news, reviews, podcasts and more from London and Broadway, including Prince Harry at Hamilton and Lin-Manuel Miranda at Southwark Playhouse.
NEWS: Denise Van Outen will play Velma Kelly in the West End production of Chicago
Star of stage and screen Denise Van Outen will join the West End cast of Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre, playing the role of Velma Kelly from 24 September 2018 through to 17 November 2018.
Will Broadway musicals dominate the West End in 2019?: Mark Shenton offers his round-up of the week ahead in London & New York
Mark Shenton offers a wrap-up of news from the West End, Broadway and Edinburgh, including the West End transfer of Waitress, Edward Hall saying farewell to Hampstead Theatre and Laura Benanti joining My Fair Lady on Broadway.
NEWS: Duncan James returns to the role of Billy Flynn in the West End cast of Chicago
From Monday 10 September 2018, Duncan James will join the West End cast of Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre, playing the role of Billy Flynn, a role he originally played in 2008.
NEWS: Alexandra Burke returns to The Bodyguard on tour after Chicago in West End
Alexandra Burke will return to the starring role of ‘Rachel Marron’ in the forthcoming tour of THE BODYGUARD opening at Glasgow Theatre Royal on 3 December 2018. It follows her imminent West End turn as Roxie Hart in Chicago.
NEWS: Alexandra Burke joins the West End cast of Chicago as Roxie Hart
Alexandra Burke will join the West End cast of Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre, playing the role of Roxie Hart from Monday 16 August through to Saturday 14 October 2018.
INTERVIEW: Martin Kemp takes on the role of Billy Flynn in the West production of Chicago
There’s a new Billy in town – Martin Kemp takes over the role from Cuba Gooding Jr on 2 July 2018. I caught up with Martin during rehearsals.
The Show People Podcast: Olivier Award-winning actor David Bedella is not from Mexico
In this episode of The Show People Podcast, host Andrew Keates is joined by two-time Olivier Award winner David Bedella. David talks about growing up in Gary, Lake County, Indiana to a family who worked in the steel industry, his showbiz inspirations and challenges.