Review: Chicago at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

★★★★★

Chicago, the international multi-award-winning musical, is back in Wolverhampton for one week only; starring Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancer, Janette Manrara as Roxie Hart alongside Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly.

For anyone unfamiliar, Chicago is set during the 1920s jazz age, and is a tale of murder, adultery, scandal and notoriety. The much-loved classic musical centres Roxie; a nightclub dancer who murders her lover, landing her in the Cook County Jail, where she meets Matron ‘Mama’ Morton (Victoria Anderson) and her cellmate-come-rival, Velma Kelly. Desperate to avoid conviction and eager for the spotlight, Roxie hires the slickest criminal lawyer available, Billy Flynn (Darren Day), and spins her story from cold-blooded murder to sensational headline.

When the casting was announced, the name on everyone’s lips was Janette Manrara but the question on everyone’s lips was, ‘can she sing and act’? We all knew that pro-dancer, Strictly Come Dancing star and TV presenter, Janette, would be able to keep up with Fosse’s iconic choreography with absolute ease and skill but the question was, how would she stand up against actors who are well-versed in musical theatre productions? Luckily, Janette did not disappoint in this role. Her singing, while perhaps not as strong as some who played the role before her, lent itself perfectly to Roxie’s faux innocence with its honied softness. While her acting brilliantly embodied the clever, manipulative nature of the character. Janette Manrara can definitely say her musical theatre début ‘started with a bang’. The audience loves her, and she loves them for loving her.

Janette plays alongside the fabulous Djalenga Scott’s Velma Kelly, who hits the stage with such understated talent and magnetic strength that audiences are captivated from the opening number right until the curtain falls.

Joshua Lloyd’s Amos, unlike Mister Cellophone, will make you notice him, and Jordan Lee Davies’ Mary Sunshine shines in operetta moments and the famous comedy reveal. Darren Day as Billy Flynn takes control of the court room narrative and the stage with his charisma and charm.

Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander and Fred Ebb, Chicago is a sexy, sultry and darkly comic show with a score that ‘Razzle Dazzles’ with countless sparkling songs including: Cell Block Tango, All That Jazz, When You’re Good to Mama, and Roxie. The staging is simple yet effective, with the live orchestra central to the production, seamlessly becoming part of the set and casting.

Choreographed by the legendary Bob Fosse, Chicago features his memorable, wacky choreography which captures notes of comedy to compliment the script. The movement also simultaneously replicates a vaudeville show, within the musical, incorporating elements such as tap dancing and burlesque-style feathered fans.  

There is something about Chicago – with its catchy songs, recognisable choreography, and twisted, sharp humour – that makes it a timeless production. Chicago is, and still remains after this rendition, a show I could watch over and over again.

Chicago runs at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 28th June. Tickets are limited availability so act fast if you want to see this show that is 'A Little Bit of Good'. https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/chicago/

This review was written following a press invite to the production.