“Chicago the Musical”

Nottingham Royal Concert Hall

“Chicago” just has to be the sexiest musical around and it is well and truly back in Nottingham.

Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover, Fred Casely, after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines.

Roxie Hart is played by Faye Brookes, who any Coronation Street fan will recognise straight away as Kate Connor. I have always found that when you see an actor who is so well known for their TV work on stage, you forget that they have other talents. TV is only one small part of their acting talents. Faye is a real triple threat. She looks absolutely gorgeous and is a wonderful actor. She can dance, and let's face it "Chicago" has a lot of choreography in it.

Remember Faye's musicality on "Dancing On Ice"? And she can sing as well, and what a voice! Faye can whisper a lyric and belt a lyric out with ease and great style. I love it when actors you know from TV really shine on the stage and Faye's star is gleaming as Roxie.

Djalenga Scott plays Velma Kelly. Now Djalenga is a new name to me but what a beautiful introduction to this woman's talents. As with Faye, she is a triple threat with her singing, dancing - love those high kicks - and her acting. What a pair these two leading ladies make. They glitter more than the backdrops they dance in front of. Why have I not heard or seen Djalenga before tonight?

Playing the suave Billy Flynn this time around is the very suave Darren Day. I've been a fan of Darren's TV and recording work for many years now and seeing him perform on stage was just wonderful. You see what a controlled voice he has. As Billy Flynn he oozes sophistication, resplendent in tux and tie and black cane. One of my favourite songs from the show is the Hollywood influenced choreographed "All I Care About Is Love". I have seen several actors play Billy but I think I have found my new favourite.

Matron “Mama” Morton is played by the very sexy Sinitta. Most people will know Sinitta from her big hits but fans of this woman know that she was an actor who can sing with her career starting off on stage, through her hit making career and now right back to where she started from. Her voice takes on a lower timbre, which I loved, and you can really tell she has had musical theatre history just in the way she moves and performs. Sinitta slinks around the stage and while Mama Morton is a sexy character, Sinitta, just by being Sinitta, brings a new level of sexy to the role. It's in the eyes!

Amos Hart is played by Joel Montague and while his character sings about being Mr Cellophane, Joel’s performance is anything but invisible. After leaving the theatre the main song I heard being hummed, whistled and even crooned by fellow theatre attendees was "Mr Cellophane". Joel had the audience on his side with this performance and several "aahhs" was heard when he exited the stage after asking for his exit music and none came. That is the impact this character has on the audience.

Mary Sunshine the reporter on the case is played by the equally delicious Divina De Campo from Rupaul’s Drag race UK and the show that I really remember Divina from "All Together Now" which I loved. Divina has a wonderfully versatile voice, and I loved it when the woman I sat next to was quite surprised when the "big reveal" came in Act Two. that alone shows the power of performance and making someone believe what they see. I am now even more of a fan of Divina than ever before after tonight.

The show is packed full of Razzle Dazzle with so many amazing costumes, many of which seem to have shrunk in the wash as they didn't seem to fit the men or the women. Well, I did say that this is the sexiest show on stage did I not?

The choreography for "Chicago" was so tight - almost as tight as the male dancer's trousers - the synchronicity all round was so sharp, and I loved the glamour of the Billy Flynn sections. The Bob Fosse hallmarks were all there, even down to the way the bowler hats were held, the flicks and the hip thrusts. Just perfect choreography exquisitely executed by the amazing dancers as well as the leads.

The dancers all deserve special credit, as not only do they dance their socks off but they all have additional acting parts. You can really see the work that they all put in on the choreography because of the slickness and timing. they bring the sexy to the party, making this show a visual treat for both men and women audience members.

Love the staging of this show as well. there is nothing complicated and the story is told without the need for scenery or stage sets.

The orchestra fill half of the stage, and what an orchestra. They are almost part of the show's performers and Musical Director, Andrew Hilton was a joy to watch, alongside the orchestra, who also received a massive show of appreciation by the enthusiastic audience.

The soundtrack is also one of my favourites. There are so many songs that will have your toes tapping or clapping along to. "All That Jazz", "Roxie", the brilliantly layered and complex "Cell Block Tango", "Mr Cellophane", "All I Care About Is Love", "Razzle Dazzle", "We Both Reached For The Gun", "When You're Good To Mama" and some lesser-known songs such as the duet between Velma and Mama Morton "Class", and the duet between Roxie and Velma "Nowadays". the musical is just packed with great songs.

Now, my only criticism. the show started about ten minutes later than it should have done. The only reason for this gripe, is because I could not wait for this incredibly entertaining musical to start.

This is one of those musicals that I would see over and over again and never tire of it.

“Chicago” is lighting up the Nottingham Royal Centre until Saturday 23 October. It’d be a crime to miss it!