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It’s All That Jazz at Hull New Theatre this week with Chicago: The Sexiest Musical in Town

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It’s Cold Gin, Hot Piano’s and All That Jazz at Hull New Theatre this week as Chicago The Musical is in town. A tale of adultery, murder, betrayal with lots of great musical numbers, not to forget the superb ‘Fosse’ choreography. I’ve been excited about Chicago coming to Hull since it was announced. Having seen it in the West End, I was hoping the show would be just as good. It certainly was and I was foot tapping all the way through.

Chicago opens with that super cool number by Velma Kelly (Djangela Scott) ‘All That Jazz’. She was accompanied by the ensemble singers and dancers with their slick and precise moves – so typical of the Fosse style of dance. Slick isolations and sexy moves from the well-rehearsed dancers.

During this we were introduced to Roxie Hart (Faye Brooks – Coronation St) as she shot her lover. Both Velma and Roxie end up in the Cook County Jail after Velma murders her sister and husband. We then had the brilliantly sung and danced ‘He Had it Coming’ from the six merry murderesses of the Cook County Jail as they all regaled how they killed their husband/lover and how it was all his fault. This number is fast paced and exciting with comedy moments of “……and then he ran into my knife, he ran into my knife ten times” and “…. I fired two warning shots; into his head”.

The Jail is run by Matron ‘Mama’ Morton played by Sinitta. She’s the ‘fixer’ for the inmates; for a price that is. She’s planning Velma’s Vaudeville future as she’s such a star in the news, but as happens with news, something new comes along and knocks you off the headlines. In this case Roxie. Roxie had talked her hubby, Amos (Joel Montague) into admitting he killed the lover (she told him it was a burglar) but when Amos discovers who the ‘burglar’ is, he recants his confession and Roxie will hang if found guilty. No way would you put Amos and Roxie together. She is the street-smart hustler married to a mild-mannered mechanic who is never noticed. He sings “Mr Cellophane” brilliantly! He is a nobody, no-one sees him, just like cellophane. Although he hits the heartstrings of the audience who ultimately warm to him, resulting in a massive cheer.

Mama gets legal help for Velma and Roxie in the shape of a slick, crooked lawyer called Billy Flynn (Darren Day). His first number – ‘All I Care About is Love’ – is beautifully sung and accompanied by the female dancers and feathered fans. It’s iconic, at times amusing, and very well choreographed.

Flynn holds a press conference to get the public on Roxie’s side and I just love the number ‘We Both Reached for the Gun’. It’s fast and repetitive, not to mention challenging, and Roxie acts as a marionette on Flynn’s knee as he answers all of the press questions; Roxie’s facial expressions and movements are so funny. Talking of the press, Flynn has one reporter wrapped round his finger, Mary Sunshine (Davina De Campo) who takes in every word he says. Mary believes ‘There’s a Little Bit of Good in Everyone’ and sings this telling of her childhood and this philosophy. I just love all the songs in this musical.

I’m not going to wax-lyrical about the plot any longer though as I don’t want to spoil it. There are lots more great songs to come including “Razzle Dazzle” about how Flynn weaves his tale to the jury.

One thing I adore in Chicago The Musical is that the band are on stage along with the singers and dancers throughout, and subsequently are part of the story. Lots of characters enter stage amid the band. The band never miss a note! They are fantastic and have one or two of their own pieces with no singers, one at the beginning of Act 2 and I would recommend that you stay seated after the curtain call as the band strike up again to play one last rousing number. Join in with clapping along and whooping and cheering. Believe me, it lifts the spirits and the musicians feel the appreciation.

This is not a complicated set. It’s the band area, chairs and some lighting. It’s not very colourful and all of the singers and dancers are in black, skimpy outfits. It’s sexy choreography, and I could watch the ensemble dance all day.

This is not a five-star show…it’s a ten! It’s a fabulous show and is at Hull New Theatre until Saturday. Tickets are from £20 and are worth every penny. It’s so good, I’m off to book to see it again later in the week!

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