REVIEW: Chicago, Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Monday, July 6.
By Paul Fisher
Action packed, high kicking, musical extravaganza Chicago has jumped off of the West End stage and onto that of Northampton's Royal & Derngate.
Having previously watched the show in London's Adelphi Theatre I was delighted to find that not only had this touring production recreated to the last detail the magic of the show, but led by the stellar Gary Wilmot, had added a new aspect to it.
Lawyer Billy Flynn has been played in a number of different ways in the past, but Wilmot's charm and charisma brought a touch of class and humour to the character, which lifted this performance above others.
I'm often sceptical when television actresses take leading roles on stage and especially musicals, but Emma Barton's portrayal of Roxy Hart was a joy to watch.
Her use facial expressions during We Both Reached For The Gun, sung as a ventriloquist dummy with Wilmot, was a particular high point.
Telling the story of murder, court corruption and all that jazz, Chicago has for a long time been one of my, and the world's, favourite musicals and from this performance I can see no reason why this should change.
For those who have been under a rock, Roxy has shot her lover Fred and is due to be hanged, until charismatic legal hotshot Billy Flynn comes along to pull everyone's strings.
It works so well because the music is just as pacy as the action on stage and you can't help but fall under its spell.
It would be remiss of me to finish a review of the show without mentioning Twinnie-Lee Moore's strong performance as Velma Kelly and the truly superb orchestra, who, unlike in most other musicals, are on stage in the thick of it throughout.
If you only go and see one musical, make it this one.
Chicago is on at Northampton's Royal & Derngate until Saturday, July 11.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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