Press Releases

Review Chicago
What's On Stage Northeast
March 30, 2009

Venue: Sunderland Empire
By John Dixon

There are several musicals that stand the test of time and Chicago is up there with the best of them. While the London production seems to run with regular stunt casting keeping the tourists coming back for more, on tour we have always had a first class cast who leave you wanting more, just the way it should be.

In the past we have seen Jennifer Ellison and John Altman lead the tours, both giving decent performances in their respective roles, but this time the casting is in a different league. On this current tour we have a truly recognisable face as money grabbing lawyer Billy Flynn.

When I first heard the name mentioned, I assumed the role of put upon husband Amos Hart was ideal casting and could visualise him singing Mr Cellophane, but no Jimmy Osmond is playing against type as Flynn. The little boy who sang “Long Haired Lover From Liverpool” all those years ago has now grown up to become the Long Haired Lawyer from Illinois!

But Osmond is just too nice to play Flynn and you do lose a certain edge to the show because of this. However his musical experience certainly came to the fore when his microphone failed on his opening number All I Care About, his voice still filled the theatre, with every word being audible until a hand mike was produced. Even then, he never put a foot wrong when continuing the song and dance routine clutching the microphone. 

After a long stint in Eastenders as Honey, Emma Barton takes on the role of Roxie Hart and proves a worthy successor to those who have gone before. Her musical theatre background has given her the skill to move up to become the leading lady, a role grabs with both hands and does not let go until the final curtain falls.  

The show as always is set in almost a cut away box, with the orchestra being on stage all the time and the actors usually lined up along the side until they are required. But as you become engrossed in the story you forget this and watch Velma Kelly (Twinnie-Lee Moore) and Roxie Hart try to get the better of each other, though murder and mayhem, assisted by Flynn and Mama Morton.

Unfortunately, Wendy-Lee Purdy as Morton did not have the power or stage presence needed for the role of the wheeler dealer prison matron and was overshadowed by the rest of the Company.

The chemistry between the leading ladies is vital and dependant on the casting gives the show a different feel , and while the production is strong enough to withstand these changes it makes you look at the show in a different was when seeing it with different casts. I am pleased to say that Barton and Moore did spark off each other as Roxie and Velma, which gave an edge to their relationship. There chemistry was so good it covered the weakness in the Morton casting.

There are no real  “nice” characters in the story, everyone is out for themselves with the exception of Amos, the used, put upon husband who is ignored, leading him to sing Mr Cellophane.  The reception that greeted Adam Stafford at the curtain call showed he had pitched his performance exactly right.

It is Kander and Ebbs songs combined with the Fosse style choreography that make this show work, but I did feel on occasions the chorus were not as sharp and together as they needed to be. Luckily this does not detract from the production overall and Chicago remains a must see show.