"Chicago" by Encore Performing Arts
Nottingham Lakeside

OK, strap yourself in, this could be a long and gushing review!

Set in the legendary city during the roaring “jazz hot” 1920s, Chicago tells the story of two rival vaudevillian murderesses locked up in Cook County Jail. Nightclub star Velma Kelly’s serving time for killing her husband and sister after finding the two in bed together.

Driven chorus girl Roxie Hart’s been tossed in the slammer for bumping off Fred Caseley, the lover she’s been cheating on her husband Amos with. Not one to rest on her laurels, Velma enlists the help of prison matron Mama Morton and slickster lawyer Billy Flynn, who turn Velma’s incarceration into a "murder-of-the-week" media frenzy, thus preparing the world for a splashy showbiz comeback. But Roxie’s got some of her own tricks up her sleeve…

This has got to be the sexiest, hottest production I've seen, and that includes the professional touring productions over the years. And from my seat, the best in the house - in my opinion - the heat was most definitely ON! This cast certainly steamed my glasses up.

Adam Guest, Director of the show, and owner of Encore Productions has that kind of reputation as to attract the best actors for his shows and every production, this being Encore's 10th has a fluid cast, meaning that every show you see introduces you to different faces, and talents, every time.

This production has everything you could imagine to make the show the practically sold out show it is and should be. Surrounding yourself with the best people, on stage and behind the scenes, practically guarantees a success and a stylish, classy, and in this case, sexy show.

Choreographer, Lucy Castle channels the trademark Bob Fosse moves. I didn't even need to look at the choreography, as I normally do in musicals because I know Lucy's work ethic where choreography is concerned. I also know that many of the actors that I've seen in other productions have a similar dance ethic, so I could just sit back and enjoy the classic choreography in this show. This is a show for anyone who loves dance, and will not be disappointed by this cast and their choreographer

Morris Fisher is the Musical Director - another class act who you can feel completely comfortable in his work. The 13 piece Orchestra, who were on stage delivered a bright, brassy backing for these amazing vocalists and were perfectly balanced sound wise. With sitting on the edge of the stage I really got a different perspective of the orchestra , and noted just how hard they work. Normally I don't get this close but I couldn't help but notice what a tight and hard working area of musical theatre they are.

An unforgettable Kander and Ebb soundtrack which includes so many musical theatre classics like "Razzle Dazzle", "Roxie", the amazing "Cell Block Tango", "All I Care About Is Love", "All That Jazz", "We Both Reached For The Gun", the list goes on.

Lizzie Fenner (Roxie) even seemed to look a little like Renee Zellweger. She has a wonderful musical theatre voice and acts with the whole of her body, creating that character we know from the film.

Shona Stewart (Velma) is perfectly cast opposite Lizzie, and someone that I'd not seen before. Shona has an amazing voice and the power within that voice is perfectly controlled. I think I loved Shona's performance more than Catherine Zeta Jones's film performance because of the fiery attitude that Velma has in this production.

David Partridge (Billy Flynn) perfects the smarm of the high flying lawyer. Another big voice and a natural leading man.

Laura Jones (Morton), is also one of the best Mama Morton's I've seen. She really brought the sauce out with her big song "When You're Good To Mama", complete with wink and a twinkle of the eye.

James Dean (Amos) is another actor who can get everything across with a certain facial expression, and the "geeky" Amos' hang-dog expression said so much about Amos character than any description could. One of my favourite songs from the show is "Mr Cellophane", Amos' song, and this really got a great reaction from the packed Lakeside audience with this performance. This song also showcased what good voice control James has.

Jorge Diniz (Mary Sunshine), I've seen in several roles, and as Mary, not only does he show off his wonderful characterisation as a woman, but also his amazing voice. A wonderful jaw-dropping moment with the song "A Little Bit Of Good".

The ensemble in this musical is vital and has to be as strong as the main roles, and again Adam Guest has amassed the best of the best from several local theatre groups. Their singing is note perfect. Their choreography is tight and their group work is slick.

Laura Such, Lottie Valks, Sarah Towle, Keli Wain, Jodie Cresdee, Sascha Cornelius, Rachel-Louise Bray, Cibele Ponces Alvarenga, Eloise Warriner, Jessica Royce, Christopher Mundy, Joshua Robinson, Tom Stanley, Matthew Charlton and Joe Green are the very talented ensemble who also at times double up for some of the minor roles.

I loved the costumes and I loved the set design ( Richard Warriner). I love the music and I love the sensuality of this production. In brief, I love everything about this show.

I saw Encore's first show, "A Chorus Line" in 2015 and they have steadily grown from being the new kid on the block of theatre companies, to being one of the theatre companies that every local actor wants to be a part of. The name, Encore, is so apt as once you've seen one of their shows, you want more.

Encore's chosen charity for the run of this production is Mind, so please drop something in the collection boxes on your way out.

"Chicago" is at Nottingham Lakeside until Saturday 6 July. It would be a crime to miss this show!

Photos by Chris Clarke.