Chicago

At last…. My first reps visit to the show ‘Chicago’.

The amateur musical world has waited a long time for the rights to ‘Chicago’ be released to amateurs, although I was in a production of the show back in 1989, before the show became the all star, singing and dancing  box office success of the West End.  It has always been a fantastic vehicle for song and dance ladies and great entertainment for an audience. But the ‘canny’ rights holders made it available with restrictions and in this first year of release, it went to companies who could play to small audiences… maximum100 per performance.

 I know there were raised eyebrows when WOS announced the show was to be performed in St Judes.   But, the doubters had all fears allayed last week when the pocket sized rocket that was ‘Chicago’ blew off everyone socks!

This show was outstanding in production values. The singing was great; the dance was clever, modern and performed soooo well. The principals were all outstanding and the staging was a triumph. The band hit all the right notes and the music sounded amazing, and the costumes, set, lighting and sound was perfect.

The stage, built along one wall of St Judes, was the optimal setting for this cast of 16 performers. Entrances were on stage and through the audience, who at the front, were sitting cabaret style at tables. There was theatre seating along the opposite wall to the stage and the band was sited on the actual St Judes stage at the end of the room and this all worked well.

Although pleased to be a ‘VIP’, sitting at the front was a mixed blessing as at no time could I get an ‘overview’ of the stage. I mostly had to look at each performer/performance in isolation.   This in no way spoiled my enjoyment or appreciation, it’s just an observation.

But on that stage in St Judes theatre, at times no more that a metre or so from my seat,  there was nowhere for the cast to hide, everyone in this fine cast was very exposed, but have no fear.....no one needed to worry . 100% commitment and excellent performances from the small but perfectly formed cast ensured this great song and dance show had well rehearsed ‘Chicago’ glitz, sleaze, satire and corruption, oozing from every move!  The audience was 100% supportive of this cast and the very closeness meant they could indulge and interact with audience members which worked so well.

Congratulations to the whole of this cast, the close team work was obvious. Special mentions must go to sensational Roxy and Velma and a handsome, suave, debonair Billy Flynn with just the right amount of sleaze. The talents of the production team added value to the show, Leah Farmer, Richard Lennox and Nina Blackwell ... take a bow. We were all thrilled by your masterly vision for this production.....thank you and congratulations.

To transform the HQ of this society into a theatre and give performances of this magnitude is no mean feat... My sincere congratulations to everyone involved. Thank you for a fantastic evening.

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