Chicago is a musical that has stood the test of time, 41 years to be precise, and it keeps getting better with age.
Kander and Ebb’s musical is a tale of trial by tabloid takes to the Liverpool Empire stage this week providing a satire on the things that sell newspapers: the celebrity of murder and sex.
Chicago is a time capsule, not just back to roaring twenties but back to the golden age of theatre when big band numbers, sparkles and sequins were common place. Despite it’s relative age this musical has a pizzazz that newer musicals lack that leaves the audience feeling refreshed and wanting more.
The staging is as it should be to frame the story, dark. The simplicity of the staging allows the choreography to be shown in all of its glory and works well throughout. The cast tend to sit in the shadows of the stage which I found to be appealing, it was good to have the entire cast interact with the big duets and solos within the show.
There are three big names in the current staging at the Liverpool Empire. Jessie Wallace of Eastenders fame plays Mama Morton particularly well, perhaps one of the best interpretations I have seen since Queen Latifah’s 2002 movie casting. Her voice booms across the audience during “When Your Good To Mama” and she has just the right amount of sass to curb those marry murderesses.
Another stand out also comes from Eastenders in the form of John Partridge who plays Billy Flynn. Handsome, smooth and ruthless, Partridge plays the part incredibly well throughout. During the first act Partridge leaves the audience stunned by holding one of the longest, and most fantastic notes , I have ever heard in real life. The audience adored it and we were only a few songs in.
Hayley Tamaddon plays Roxie Hart in this Liverpool stint and for me, she lacks something. Her performance is good but perhaps lacks the stage presence required to really wow as Roxie. The cracks show during her duets with Sophie Carmen-Jones who plays Velma Kelly, who wows the audience throughout. Tamaddon has a good voice and gives a good energy throughout however Roxie needs a little more strength.
Perhaps the reason why this musical is still as popular as it was is that it is still relevant, the audience still identifies with it. The story of desperate starlets willing to do absolutely anything (including murder) to get their names in the paper for their 15 minutes of fame.
Chicago is still a classic and as a wise man once said “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.