Adultery, corruption, murder and swinging jazz- it couldn’t be anything but Chicago! 

We were invited to come and review Chicago at the Wales Millennium Centre and what a show it was! Set during the roaring and wild 1920’s, we follow housewife and nightclub dancer Roxie Hart, portrayed by Janette Manrara, after she’s arrested for murdering her secret lover. Desperate to avoid the rope, Roxie does everything she can to charm the press, cheat the public and dupe the jury. Hiring Chicago’s biggest smooth-talking lawyer to keep in her in headlines and out of jail. 

This show is a sensation! And with a cast with talent to spare, the audience was in awe from the very first curtain call. Janette Manrara as Roxie Hart gave us a high-energy, cheeky performance in this iconic role, incredibly matched with Djalenga Scott as Roxie’s sharp-tongued rival, Velma Kelly, who brought dazzling sensuality, power and passion to this role. And Kevin Clifton as the charismatic, silver-tongued lawyer, Billy Flynn, was delightfully charming, alongside Brenda Edwards as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton and Joshua Lloyd as Amos Hart, who quickly became audience favourites. 

And the rest of the cast, Jordan Lee Davies as Mary Sunshine, Bethany Adamson, Victoria Anderson, Josh Crowther, Joe Dale, Jessica Keable, Robin Kent, Annabelle Laing, Jacob McLay Reid, Jonathan Milton, George Olney, Oliver Ramsdale, Elly Shaw, Lucy Anne Stacey, Matthew Sweet and Ria Tanaka. Each brought an astonishing energy to the stage, making it even the more powerful. 

Chicago has a score to rival any show, with iconic numbers like, ‘Cell Block Tango’, ‘Roxie’, ‘Razzle Dazzle’, ‘All That Jazz’, ‘Mister Cellophane’, ‘All I Care About’ and ‘We Both Reached For The Gun’. This show had hit after hit after hit, made only better by the incredibly wild and fabulous chorus numbers and the immensely talented band. 

Staging a show like this always presents a bit of a challenge but having the band take centre stage in tiered stalls created an incredible focal point for the performance. Having the actors moved within and around the stalls made even number even better. With such iconic songs, the band deserved to be out on stage for the audience to truly appreciate. 

Chicago will be at the Wales Millennium Centre until the 10th May and it is not to be missed! Extraordinary jazz numbers, the glitz and glam of the roaring 20s and with all the devilish vices we all hold near and dear to our hearts. It’s a night to remember, but tickets are selling fast so get yours now! 

Find out more about the Chicago UK Tour on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

And keep up to date on everything going on at the Wales Millennium Centre on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

All photo credits to Becky Lee Brun