Chicago
Location: Cambridge Theatre
Since 1926 the city of Chicago, Illinois has been immortalised in the world of entertainment. It has become a word that is synonymous not only with this location, but with the great musical of the same name. Penned by the Chicago Tribune writer Maurice Dallas Watkins, it takes audiences on a musical journey through the prisons, the courtrooms and the entertainment halls of 1920s Chicago. It truly brings the city to life and allows audiences to sit back and enjoy the ride.
The current production of Chicago has been in the West End since 1997 when the Adelphi Theatre welcomed the triumphant return of the famous show. It proved successful for the venue, running for 3,000 performances until 2006. However the show originally arrived in London in 1979 at the Cambridge Theatre, where it was met with acclaim and audience praise, therefore it was only fitting that the Cambridge Theatre step up and reclaim this show in the West End. So from 2006 to the current day audiences have been able to enjoy the classic story of Roxie Hart in the venue that first brought it to this country.
Roxie Hart is, of course, the star of the show; the journey whose story we follow. She has ambitions of being a star, making something of herself and being in the spotlight. However, she is going to be in the limelight soon enough, but not in the way she wanted. Hart is thrown behind bars, with the murder of her husband pinned squarely on her, and meets a Vaudevillian Performer in the form of Velma Kelly. She is on the inside for murder as well, but in her case the victim was her sister, who she had found out was having an affair with her husband. Their friendship is a turning point for Hart and things start to look up as they begin to plan their bid for freedom and pursue their goals of becoming big stars. It is up to their wits to get them out, as well as their lawyer Billy Flynn.
For those who haven’t witnessed the stage show, many may be familiar with the movie version that hit cinema screens in 2002. It starred Renée Zellweger as Roxie Hart with Catherine Zeta-Jones stepping into the shoes of Velma Kelly. It also featured Richard Gere as their lawyer Billy Flynn. The movie was an Academy Award winning success and introduced many more to the story of Chicago.
It means that many people are familiar with the story that has been around now for eight decades. Who knows what success it could find in the future?
Theatre tickets for Chicago are very popular so be sure to reserve your well before you want to go. It is possble to pick up cheap Chicago tickets if you book with the right box office.