It may be nearly 50 years old, but Chicago still struts across the stage with more sass, sex appeal, and satire than most modern musicals.
Let’s get this out there: I love musical theatre. So much so that I do a bit of am-dram on the side and quite fancy myself as a tinpot Jean Valjean. Yet, having never seen the stage show or film, I had no idea just how clever, witty and charming Chicago is.
Written in the ’70s and set in the ’20s, it follows two ‘heroines’ – Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly – both guilty of murder, who manipulate the legal system with the help of money-grabbing lawyer Billy Flynn.
It’s critique of fame over truth feels eerily relevant today. In an era where the narrative is more important than the facts, the show’s satire of media manipulation lands harder than ever. If it were written now, we’d surely see Velma and Roxie trending on X, their fates dictated by algorithms and clickbait headlines rather than sensationalist newspaper stories.
A dark comedy packed with memorable musical numbers and knowing in-jokes, it has an almost Wes Anderson-like quality in the way it comments on its own storytelling. With the orchestra and conductor positioned on stage, it plays with theatrical conventions, breaking the fourth wall and winking at the audience throughout.
The cast is universally strong. Coronation Street’s Faye Brookes is a playful, charismatic Roxie Hart, while Strictly Come Dancing’s Kevin Clifton brings charm and ruthless polish to lawyer Billy Flynn – surprisingly, with little dancing but plenty of singing. Djalenga Scott’s Velma Kelly delivers powerhouse vocals, but the night’s standout moment belonged to Joshua Lloyd as Amos. His rendition of Mr. Cellophane was deeply affecting, drawing genuine sympathy from the audience in a show otherwise brimming with cynicism.
The production is effortlessly stylish – sexy, slick and packed with instantly recognisable songs. All That Jazz is the obvious crowd-pleaser, but Cell Block Tango and All I Care About were arguably even more striking in their execution.
With its timeless score, razor-sharp satire, and a cast that delivers across the board, Chicago isn’t just a musical – it’s a masterclass in theatrical storytelling. Catch it while you can.
