Chicago The musical At Blackpool Opera House Review

Reviewed by Cath Joyce

Last night we went to the opening night of Chicago the musical at Blackpool’s famous Opera House. Based on real life events in the 1920’s which were witnessed by journalist Maurine Watkin, the play was written after she switched careers from journalism to playwriting. The play was turned into the world famous musical in 1975 by John Kander (music) and Fred Ebb (lyrics).

As the title suggests, the musical is set in Chicago during the 1920’s jazz age. We follow the story of two women, Roxie Hart (played by Coronation Street star Faye Brookes) and Velma Kelly (played by Djalenga Scott) both in prison accused of murder. Nightclub dancer Roxie killed her lover, Fred Casely, when he attempted to end their affair. Worried she might hang for murder, Roxie needs a good lawyer and the matron of Cook County Jail, Mama Morton (Brenda Edwards of X Factor and Loose Women fame) recommends Billy Flynn, a lawyer who has never lost a case for a woman.

The show opens with a very minimal set, just a chair at the front of the stage with an orchestra behind, the musicians taking up most of the space and staying on stage for the whole show. Velma welcomes us with the well known number “All That Jazz” setting the 1920s jazz club theme for the night.

Although I was not familiar with most of the songs, I found the singing was clear, with the story easy to follow. An audience favourite was Jamie Baughan as Roxie’s downtrodden husband Amos who received a great response when he sang “Mr. Cellophane”. We also thought Brenda Edwards had a great stage presence with her powerful voice filling the theatre.

I particularly enjoyed “We Both Reached For the Gun” sung by Roxie and Billy and with a nod to the vaudevillian acts of the time, they play the roles of a ventriloquist and his dummy, obviously the lawyer is putting words into her mouth but the mannerisms of both were just great.

As much a part of the show as the singing is the dancing and the whole cast was superb, every dance move was spot on and the choreography was simply brilliant. The fan dance during “All I Care About” was amazing to watch. The whole night was filled with high kicks, leaps and the occasional cartwheel and nobody put a foot wrong.

Whilst the set was very minimal the lighting was used to good effect to give the impression of a nightclub stage and the orchestra was brilliant too, taking part in the show, not just accompanying the singers.

With a packed house the audience was brilliant, it’s rare to hear so much applause and cheering so early in the night but last night the atmosphere was electric from the very first song.

This is a fantastic, lively show, with dazzling choreography and impressive vocals and I guarantee you will be singing Razzle Dazzle and All That Jazz all the way home! Highly recommended!

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £23 to £44.95 plus £3.95 booking fee
Chicago is on at the Blackpool Opera House from the 28th June to 2nd July 2022.

For more information or to book tickets visit https://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/chicago/ or call the Box Office on 01253 629600