Review: Why it's a Crime to Miss Chicago at Newcastle Theatre Royal
The legendary Tony Award-winning show Chicago returned to Newcastle Theatre Royal this month
Featuring instantly recognisable tracks including Cell Block Tango and All That Jazz, Chicago transports us back to the 1920s to follow the story of Roxie Hart (played by stage and soap star Faye Brookes in this production).
She’s a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. To avoid conviction, she must dupe the public, media and rival cellmate, Velma, hiring Chicago’s best criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into sensational headlines.
Act one starts with a bang, with All That Jazz, which mixes iconic Bob Fosse moments (from the original production) with newer choreography, and both Velma and the company build the number perfectly. We loved the musical on Broadway, and we’re excited to see this new tour – Kevin Clifton takes to the role of Billy Flynn exceptionally, not relying on his dance skills but instead showing off his vocal and acting abilities.
Faye Brookes is a ball of energy and brings a more playful and innocent Roxie Hart to the stage from what movie fans might expect, really exposing Roxie’s self-absorbedness. All the fan favourites are there but the stand out for us is We Both Reached for the Gun, which is so fun, energetic and comedic.
Amos Hart (played by Joshua Lloyd) wins the audience over and becomes a crowd favourite with a sweet and sad rendition of Mister Cellophane in act two. The company are amazing with all choreography seeming effortless, controlled and masking from the audience the true complexity of the moves.
Top tip: audience members should stick around to the very end (even after the lights come on) to see the band really let loose! They bring so much character to the show, getting a chance to see them take the limelight is not to be missed.
It would be criminal to miss this all-singing, all-dancing musical masterpiece.
Chicago is at Newcastle Theatre Royal until 2nd November. Book your tickets at theatreroyal.co.uk or from the box office on 0191 232 7010.
