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Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre
The musical Chicago has been running in London Theatre for over 10 years and continues to be a huge success. Opening at the Adelphi Theatre in November 1997, the London show transferred to it’s current venue, the Cambridge theatre London in April 2006. The production has featured a string of celebrities since it’s opening, and currently stars Bonnie Langford, Duncan James and X-Factor’s Brenda Edwards.
Chicago has had phenomenal success on Broadway, originally opening in 1975 and reviving in 1996 (to date) for a total of 4,588 performances.
Chicago is based on the play by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins who, in 1924, covered the trials of Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner, two murderesses.
The character of Roxie Hart, portrayed by Rene Zelwegger in the 2002 film is based on Beulah Annan, who was 23 when she was accused of the murder of Harry Kalstedt. The character Velma Kelly (played by Catherine Zeta Jones in the same movie) was based on cabaret singer Gaertner. Both women were found not guilty of murder and their respective, successful lawyers, William Scott Steward and W. W. O’Brien were the composite for the character Billy Flynn (played on film by Richard Gere).
After reporting on the trials in the Chicago Tribune, to huge public interest, Watkins wrote the play that made it to Broadway in 1926. In 1927 a silent film was produced and then in 1942, it was remade again under the title ‘Roxie Hart’ with Ginger Rogers in the title role.
It was Bob Fosse who went to Watkins about the concept of adapting the play into a musical. Although she refused him, she gave permission for the rights to be sold to him after her death. And so in 1969 Fosse approached John Kander and Fred Ebb to write the score for the musical Chicago and each resulting number is either based on traditional vaudeville style, or sung in the style of a particular vaudevillian performer.
Together they penned some classics that alone make this musical worth going to see: All That Jazz, Razzle Dazzle, Mr Cellophane and Funny Honey.
Chicago the musical is of course set in the 1920’s and it is visually exciting and sexy. Although there are two or three main characters, it is a composite production where everyone is a star. The dance routines are slick and full of high energy and sass. I really felt like I was seeing the glamour and glitz of a Broadway production and I believe this is due to the original choreography by Bob Fosse.
Chicagois well worth going to see and Concierge Desk can offer a range of Chicago tickets for this super, super musical, as well as London theatre tickets for any other West End show.
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