Chicago - Review

CHICAGO! It's my kind of musical …

by Susan Denwood - Accrington Observer

CHICAGO, Chicago - It's-my kind of show. And this racy musical has been dazzling audiences at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre this week.
Outrageous is the word I would use to describe this tale of gangland Chicago with its black-stockinged women and their cheating lovers.
The colourful language sometimes leaves the air blue but it is all part and parcel of the show.
With slick dance routines and lavish costumes, Chicago is a real winner for the Hyndburn Bel Canto Theatre Group which gets full marks for its marvellous production.
Timing is of the essence in a musical crammed with witty one-liners that are fired out like pistol shots, and no-one in the whole cast falters.

For me the star of the show is undoubtedly Mary Rose Swarbrick Dunnne as the foxy lady Roxie Hart - what a performance! With her whispery Marilyn Monroe-type voice, she is on the stage for every scene and the show is three hours long. She is intensely watchable.
Black comedy
A well known face who also heads the cast as sensational murderess Velma- Kelly is Shirley Mason. With her powerful voice and wonderful sense of black comedy, She is neatly paired with Lyndsay Clarke who plays the part of Mama Morton, the "head" of the prison where Roxie and Velma are awaiting trial.
The musical boasts a total of 19 songs accompanied by racy dance routines performed by ladies in black stockings and suspenders. Choreographer Anthony Williams should be applauded. Produced by David Norris, who deserves as Oscar, Chicago is fall of little surprises to watch out for so keep your eye on reporter Mary Sunshine played by Diane White. The press scene in which Roxie is used as a ventriloquist's doll by shifty lawyer Flynn is brilliant. Flynn is played with style by a newecomer to Bel Canto, Andrew Summers, a former teacher of mine.
There are also several cameo roles played to perfection which make the show a real joy to watch. When will producers really notice Maxwell Robinson? He is expert as the MC.
Real favourite
Poker faced Peter Toogood is a real favourite as Amos, Roxie's jilted husband. Although his singing doesn't really match that of the rest of cast he is a great comic character. Another favourite is nine-year-old Matthew Norris who plays a newsboy.
Packed with saucy three-in-a bed scenes and rude jokes, Chicago is for the broadminded. But don't worry, it's notoffensive, just a great musical well-produced, sung, acted and danced.
The cast also includes Simon Westwell , Victoria Wilson, Kathy Louise Foster, Stella Barnes, Ann Marie Kirkwood, Janet Sutcliffe; Barbara Cilgram; John Cornthwaite. Michael Barratt, Deane Thompson
Chicago continues tonight and ends tomorrow night at 7.30 pm. Tickets are obtainable from Gordon Robinson and Partners, Accrington, or Oswaldtwistle Post Office. (Picture: Joe Hargreaves 7212)

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CHICAGO! It's my kind of musical … by Susan Denwood - Accrington Observer

CHICAGO, Chicago - It's-my kind of show. And this racy musical has been dazzling audiences at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre this week. Outrageous is the word I would use to describe this tale of gangland Chicago with its black-stockinged women and their cheating lovers. The colourful language sometimes leaves the air blue but it is all part and parcel of the show. With slick dance routines and lavish costumes, Chicago is a real winner for the Hyndburn Bel Canto Theatre Group which gets full marks for its marvellous production. Timing is of the essence in a musical crammed with witty one-liners that are fired out like pistol shots, and no-one in the whole cast falters.
For me the star of the show is undoubtedly Mary Rose Swarbrick Dunnne as the foxy lady Roxie Hart - what a performance! With her whispery Marilyn Monroe-type voice, she is on the stage for every scene and the show is three hours long. She is intensely watchable. Black comedy A well known face who also heads the cast as sensational murderess Velma- Kelly is Shirley Mason. With her powerful voice and wonderful sense of black comedy, She is neatly paired with Lyndsay Clarke who plays the part of Mama Morton, the "head" of the prison where Roxie and Velma are awaiting trial. The musical boasts a total of 19 songs accompanied by racy dance routines performed by ladies in black stockings and suspenders. Choreographer Anthony Williams should be applauded. Produced by David Norris, who deserves as Oscar, Chicago is fall of little surprises to watch out for so keep your eye on reporter Mary Sunshine played by Diane White. The press scene in which Roxie is used as a ventriloquist's doll by shifty lawyer Flynn is brilliant. Flynn is played with style by a newecomer to Bel Canto, Andrew Summers, a former teacher of mine. There are also several cameo roles played to perfection which make the show a real joy to watch. When will producers really notice Maxwell Robinson? He is expert as the MC. Real favourite Poker faced Peter Toogood is a real favourite as Amos, Roxie's jilted husband. Although his singing doesn't really match that of the rest of cast he is a great comic character. Another favourite is nine-year-old Matthew Norris who plays a newsboy. Packed with saucy three-in-a bed scenes and rude jokes, Chicago is for the broadminded. But don't worry, it's notoffensive, just a great musical well-produced, sung, acted and danced. The cast also includes Simon Westwell , Victoria Wilson, Kathy Louise Foster, Stella Barnes, Ann Marie Kirkwood, Janet Sutcliffe; Barbara Cilgram; John Cornthwaite. Michael Barratt, Deane Thompson Chicago continues tonight and ends tomorrow night at 7.30 pm. Tickets are obtainable from Gordon Robinson and Partners, Accrington, or Oswaldtwistle Post Office. (Picture: Joe Hargreaves 7212)
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