Chicago - Teen Edition

53 teenagers from Leading Lights took to the stage to bring us Kander & Ebb’s tale of two murderesses in 1920’s Chicago and the energy and professionalism was awesome to behold. From the opening number “And All That Jazz”, led by Isla Mooney as a petite powerhouse Velma Kelly, to the energetic finale the ensemble gave a faultless performance of Mhorag Anderson’s Fosse-esque choreography along with producing excellent singing in which every word could be heard as clear as a bell. The two leading ladies, Isla Mooney as Velma Kelly and Orla Woods as Roxie Hart were outstanding not only having excellent singing and dancing skills but also acting skills belying their youth. Everyone of their numbers were exemplary delivered that it is difficult to single out any one. However for me Isla’s lead in “And All That Jazz” and Orla’s “Roxie” plus their spine-tingling counterpoint duet “My Own Best Friend” finale to Act One were highlights. John-David Gatima gave an excellent portrayal of the money-driven lawyer Billy Flynn displaying a nice touch for comedy especially in the number “We Both Reached For The Gun” with Roxie when he is the puppeteer to her lip-syncing doll. Jenna Bothwell too gave a very strong performance as the Prison Matron Mama Morton with an excellent rendition of her solo “When You’re Good To Mama”. One of my favourite characters in this piece is Amos Hart, Roxie’s down-trodden husband, and Alex Donnelly instilled the character with just the right amount of pathos and his rendition of “Mr Cellophane” deservedly received huge applause. Another number I look forward to in any production of this show is “Cell Block Tango” and the six murderesses - Ayla Chalmers, Mia Paoli, Demi Waugh, Milana Barkovska, Hannah Wheeler plus Velma - did not disappoint. Strong support was given by Joshua Horsfall (Narrator), Grant Lindsay (Fred Casely), Finlay Sutherland (Officer Fogarty), Erin Urquhart (Mary Sunshine) and Sarah Reynolds (Kitty). The set was simple with a bridge running the full width of the stage at the back and good use was made of the different levels. Changes of location were indicated by very effective use of a video wall, which with good lighting, allowed for the smooth running of the show. The 9 piece band under the expert direction of Rhonda Scott made a superb authentic 1920s sound supporting but never overpowering the singers. Well done everyone – you certainly deserved the standing ovation and prolonged applause received from the full house audience.

I was so impressed by the production that the first thing I did when I got home was go online and book one of the few remaining seats for the next evening’s performance so I could see the alternate Roxie, Velma and Mama Morton in action. The three actors did not disappoint being every inch as outstanding as their counterparts in singing, dancing and acting abilities. Aimee Duguid was a bold and brassy Velma which contrasted nicely with Ella Silver’s blonde and angelic looking Roxie and Ellie Littlewood gave a very assured portrayal of Mama Morton. Once again the cast received well deserved prolonged applause and standing ovation from the full house audience – one of four! Congratulations everyone involved on a superb production.

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