Chicago returned to the Liverpool Empire theatre this week bringing the iconic musical with its toe-tapping soundtrack to packed-out audiences once again.
Classical singer Russell Watson, Coronation Street’s Faye Brookes and The Three Degrees singer Sheila Ferguson took to the stage to help bring the much-loved tale set in 1920s America to life.
Chicago tells the story of Roxie Hart (Faye Brookes), a housewife and dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to leave her.
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In order to avoid conviction, Roxie hires Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer, Billy Flynn (Russell Watson), to help her dupe the public, media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly (Djalenga Scott), by creating shocking headlines.
You know it’s going to be a great night when the audience is on its feet cheering and clapping after the first few musical numbers.
It could be because they were renditions of the adored All That Jazz and Cell Block Tango, but I believe the fact the cast were on top form with their singing and dancing played a huge part in the audience’s rapturous reaction.
Faye Brookes truly shone as Roxie Hart, encompassing her sweetness, sexiness and her deadly power to deceive and manipulate.
As Russell Watson didn’t perform in Chicago on opening night, I was intrigued to see what his performance would be like and how the audience would react when he stepped out on stage.
Thankfully, his performance as Billy Flynn was spot on, and his singing was as strong and powerful as ever. The crowd went wild after his first solo, a reaction which continued after each of his songs.
A word has to be said on Jamie Baughan who plays Roxie’s doting husband, Amos. The audience truly fell in love with Jamie’s portrayal of Amos, empathising with his struggle between turning his back on his murderous, cheating wife and saving the woman he loves.
I believe Jamie received the biggest cheer and applause at the end of the production, so that says it all!
Despite the sexiness and seriousness of some of the topics addressed in Chicago, the comedy within the script was on point. I found the musical surprisingly very funny, the one-liners and jokes receiving plenty of laughs from the crowd.
Although Chicago’s songs are very well-known, I felt like I was hearing them for the first time due to the cast adding their own style. Paired with brilliant choreography, Chicago at the Empire truly was a masterpiece from start to finish and thoroughly deserved the standing ovation it received as the curtain fell.
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