| Review: Chicago the Musical in Torquay | |
|  | Roxie ( Claire Taylor) and Velma (Rachel Stanley) are all smiles at the end!
Photos: Chicago website |
| | Chicago the Musical is decadent and downright murderous - but great fun! The cast in the 2005 touring show were given a rapturous ovation on the opening night of a six day run in Torquay,
Review: Laura Joint. |
| | | Chicago 2005 proved a real hit with the packed audience at Torquay's Princess Theatre, with the entire cast putting in fabulous performances.
Just like the main characters, many in the audience were "serial offenders" - they've been here many times before!
And you can see why they keep coming back for more.
This is the sassiest, most raucous, street-wise musical on the circuit, and it's very funny too. The action never lets up - and neither does the band. For me, the music is the best bit of all.
 | | Roxie and the boys |
The story (as if it matters!) follows the trials - literally - and tribulations of nightclub singer Roxie Hart and double murderess Velma Kelly, who's also a singer.
Roxie, who is married to cardigan-wearing mechanic Amos, shoots dead her lover after he dumps her.
And so she gets to meet Velma in prison - and rivalry ensues.
Cell Block Tango is a real highlight, and absolutely hilarious, with jailbirds explaining why they killed their partners - and how they "had it coming."
Both Roxie and Velma are heading for the gallows. The one man who can save them is lying lawyer Billy Flynn, who figures that their best chance of salvation is by becoming stars.
 | | Cavin Cornwall and the girls |
His arrival on the stage, surrounded by women with fans is so over the top and camp.
Even they looked like bursting into laughter at the sheer nonsense of it all.
Other bits which went down well with the audience were the songs Class - great lyrics - and Razzle Dazzle, when "the boys" get to do their thing.
In the end, our heroines are saved and they join forces to launch a successful singing partnership - performing Nowadays and Hot Honey Rag.
These three main characters are played excellently by Claire Taylor (Roxie), a super-fit Rachel Stanley (Velma) and Cavin Cornwall (Billy Flynn).
Poor old Amos is also played wonderfully by Christopher Howell (Mister Cellophane had everyone coming out in sympathy), and there's a great cameo by CC Mullaney as Mary Sunshine.
I laughed out loud loads of times. A great night out - go and see it!
| DATE: | Mon 7th - Sat 12th Feb 2005 | | EVENT: | Chicago the Musical | | VENUE: | Princess Theatre, Torquay | | TIME: | Various | | TICKETS: | £15 - £30 | | BOX OFFICE: | 08702 414120 |
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I thought it was excellent - better than I thought it was going to be - Shirley, Torquay.
