Theatre:Adelphi Theatre
Address:The Strand, London
WC2 7NA
Nearest Tube:Charing Cross/Covent Garden
Welcome. Ladies and Gentlemen, you are about to see a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery – all those things we all hold near and dear to our hearts. Thank you.” So begins Chicago The Musical…and creators John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse never back off from their bold and sinister promise.
Of course, what it's also about is sensational dancing, singing, acting with constantly superb interplay between stars and co-stars, stars and secondary players and company. Sometimes the songs are sparely focused as a concert performance. Sometimes the dance numbers are as raunchy as a floorshow. Either way, what Chicago describes is not a world but a process. And it does it in the language of cabaret – which brings on all those s-words: sassy, sexy, seductive, sensual, sinuous, sleazy, slinky, sophisticated and sultry… The story is straightforward, improbable but acidly credible. The satire that pervades Fred Ebb's terrific lyrics is as crisp as the audience's enthusiastic and constant handclaps. There is no razzle-dazzle mechanical props, just the razzle-dazzle of a company of gifted performers delivering two hours and fifteen minutes of show-stopping numbers that includes Billy and Company's witty "Razzle Dazzle.
Chicago can make you think, and bitterly, but it is also hugely enjoyable: a showstopping show, a gaudy, glorious, glittering hit. Chicago The Musical is as close to musical theatre heaven as you are likely to get.
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