MUSICAL THEATRE
Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, Book by Fred Ebb & Bob Fossey
At Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne until Sun 2 June 2024
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars:**** (4)
This review is published only on this blog. I’ll present a radio review on Arts Weekly on 3MBS on Sat 6 April 2024. KH
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| CHICAGO-Antony Warlow & cast -2023-photo-Jeff-Busby |
Of course, it does glamorise murder, making it funny, entertaining and strangely understandable when couched in the manipulated narrative spun by characters such as Roxy Hart and Velma Kelly.
These bold leading characters are played here by Zoe Ventoura as Velma and Lucy Maunder as Roxy, who are both capable singer/dancer /actors and vamp it up as these two ambitious killers seeking to be catapulted into show biz careers based on their infamy.
This may not be the best Chicago that I’ve seen. It’s a tall order to compete with Carolyn O’Connor, Chelsea Gibb and Sharon Millerchip, all of whom did Chicago over the past 20 + years.
However, the choreography, the music and the sassy songs carry this show, making it almost bullet-proof.
Cell Block Tango is a highlight with its sexy, captivating representation of six female prisoners singing their justifications for murdering partners.
The opening chorus of All That Jazz is thrilling and intensely physical. The choreography throughout the show is replete with Fossey’s bump-and-grind, hip swivelling and sexualised movement that captures the 30s cabaret and jazzy era. This musical is less about narrative and more about its dance, songs and characters.
The vocal highlight is Anthony Warlow as Billy Flynn the expert showman, defence lawyer who Warlow plays as sleek, dignified and cunning, rather than slick, showy and overly conniving. Warlow has a composure and dignity as Billy that is unlike other actors’ more brash, brassy versions of the role. Billy manipulates facts and the jury to elevate his profile and his profit. He has no interest in the women; he is purely interested in his own success and reputation.
Peter Rowsthorn wins the hearts of the audience with his quirky, clown-like Amos Hart and Asabi Goodman as Matron ‘Mama’ Moreton, belts out the song, When You’re Good to Mama.
If you’ve not seen Chicago, get out and have a look at it because it’s effervescent and diverting and one of the great 20th century musicals.
by Kate Herbert
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| CHICAGO-Zoe Ventoura, Lucy Maunder 2023-photo-Jeff-Busby |
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| CHICAGO-Cell Block Tango 2023-photo-Jeff-Busby |
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