Chicago at the Milton Keynes Theatre.

Honey is superb and all that jazz!.... A Review by Daniel Merner

Based on real life events back in the roaring 1920’s, nightclub singer Roxie Hart (Emma Barton) shoots her lover and along with cell block rival, double-murderess Velma Kelly, they all fight to keep away from death row with the help of smooth talking lawyer, Billy Flynn (Marti Pellow), it would be a real crime to miss it if you have the opportunity.

Playing Roxie Hart was Emma Barton who was sexy, sassy, powerful and occasionally naughty which was a million miles away from the character she played in Eastenders (Billie Mitchell’s ex wife Honey), I didn’t realise that Emma Barton was in the show until I opened my programme, everyone was making a big thing about Marti Pellow being in Chicago, and although he was brilliant I still think Emma Barton stole the show.

I have never seen the film but based on the explosive performances from the 5 main cast members in the musical but now I can see why they would have required a cast of great actors and actresses in the film.

The show was very dramatic and confident, exaggerated death scenes added to the drama, I’m a fan of the American cities in the 1920s so glamour girls dresses and apparatus along with males in mobesque suits added to the performance, I was very impressed with jazz orchestra being a jazz fan and being a secret but basic Saxophone player.

To add to the excellent performance from all the cast, the accents although convincing became slightly annoying and costume changes could have been more, but in all the show proved successful.

If murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery with a bit of ‘All that jazz’ and ‘Razzle Dazzle’ then Chicago would be the show for you.

Daniel Merner

Miltonkeynes.com

Chicago runs at the Milton Keynes Theatre until the 30^th January 2010 click here for tickets