EntertainmentTheatre

Chicago at the King’s Theatre Glasgow Review

chicago2016Chicago
King’s Theatre, Glasgow

19-24 September 2016

www.atgtickets.com/kings

Reviewed by Debbie Douglas

The King’s Theatre is a gorgeous old theatre easily accessible by foot, bus or taxi from Glasgow’s city centre, there are loads of restaurants and hotels nearby if you want to make an evening or short break out of it.

Chicago is one of my all-time favourite stage shows and this one does not disappoint. This production is soap star heaven starring John Partridge as Billy Flynn, Jessie Wallace as “Mama” and Hayley Tamaddon was super as the perky Roxie Hart. Jessie Wallace could not make the performance so the understudy Ellie Mitchell made an excellent replacement although I would have liked to have seen how Jessie Wallace played the role. Sophie Carmen-Jones was excellent as the classy Velma Kelly.

Costumes are simple and effective and from the first notes of “All that jazz” you are transported to Chicago in the late 1920’s.

Everyone knows the basic premise of the story of Chicago, glamorous women getting away with murder. The musical score is stunning and the fact that the Orchestra were on the stage all the time as a central piece of the stage set is a masterpiece of stage production. The interaction of the cast and conductor was amazing. The band closed the show and quite rightly and they were simply wonderful. Its times like this I wish I was not tone deaf and could play an instrument.

The cast were all fantastic, except for me, John Partridge. I feel he lets the show down. His voice is not strong and he has absolutely zero charisma. The dance numbers are superb; my favourite the cell block tango was performed brilliantly. The show is slick, fast paced and hard hitting. Neil Ditt as the easily manipulated Amos had the audience in the palm of his hands with his heart-pulling version Mr Cellophane.

I would thoroughly recommend you see this, despite John Partridge’s failings. The other cast members and orchestra are so amazing you can forgive him and you will not regret going to see this.

Rating: 4/5

Tickets cost from £15 to £65.50 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).

Chicago is at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow until 24 September 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 7648.

King’s Theatre, 297 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4JN | 0844 871 7648

4 Star

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