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Chicago delivers with sex, scandal and all that jazz
22 Mar 2019
The South African production of the ever-popular award-winning Broadway and West End musical hit Chicago is back with a literal bang (phew phew) and currently razzle-dazzling at the Artscape in Cape Town till the 14 April, before shimmying on over to Montecasino's Teatro in Johannesburg from 20 April to 26 May 2019.
Carmen Pretorius & Ferdi Gernandt © Christiaan Kotze
Even though the original play was written in 1975 and based in the 1920s the storyline is still scandalous and sexy enough for a 21st-century audience. In fact, most of the themes – lust, murder, hunger for fame and the crazy cult of celebrity – are aptly relevant in today’s world.
"Cell Block Tango" © David Watson
The all-South African cast delivers and, besides a few slips in American twang, one is really transported to the heady sticky, grimy nights of the infamous liquor and jazz era.
The stage set is pretty basic with only a few ladders and chairs used as props with the main space utilised for the multi-levelled 11-piece orchestra. A standing ovation to the conductor and musicians on expertly setting the backdrop and tone and nailing all those well-loved Chicago tunes. A few well-timed interactions with the cast add a unique and humorous touch.
“We Both Reached for the Gun” © David Watson
The set’s starkness, plus the fact that the costumes are predominantly black, lend a graphic quality to the production and allows the emphasis to fall on the brilliant choreography and vocals.
Stand-out performances go to Ilse Klink whose rich voice and sass really captures the corrupt yet savvy Mama Morton. The devilishly cute Roxie Hart played by Carmen Pretorius is at turns pitiful and spiteful, while the seductive and sarcastic Velma Kelly played by Samantha Peo delivers her eye-rolling one-liners with ultimate snark. Billy Flynn played by Craig Urbani is as charming and smarmy a lawyer that any little jailbird broad would want.
Ilse Klink & Samantha Peo © Christiaan Kotze
Toe-tapping popular songs – “Cell Block Tango”, “We Both Reached for the Gun” and the courthouse masterpiece “Razzle Dazzle” – are all beautifully choreographed and expertly delivered. The tunes will stick in your head for daaays.
All-in-all, a sequin sparkling, feather fluffing, razzle-dazzle of a murderous romp! Don’t miss out.
Tickets are available via Computicket.
