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Chicago & Stomp Extend Four Months in West End

Two West End musical productions - British dance phenomenon Stomp and Kander and Ebb's Chicago - have announced new booking periods for 2003.

Stomp, which originated in Brighton in 1991, has toured all over the world but only started its first West End run last autumn, opening at the Vaudeville Theatre on 28 September 2002 (previews from 24 September). It had previously extended to 31 May 2003 but has now added a further four months to its booking period, taking it up to 27 September 2003.

Stomp transforms the junk and clutter of urban life into a source of rhythm and dance. In 100 minutes of pure theatricality, a cast of eight performers use boots, bins, garbage, zippo lighters, plumbers' plungers and everything including the kitchen sink to hammer out a symphony.

Meanwhile, further along the Strand at the Adelphi Theatre, Chicago has also extended by four months, taking it up to 31 January 2004. The musical opened at the Adelphi in November 1997 and went on to win the 1998 Olivier for Outstanding Musical Production and the 1998 Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. The West End cast currently features Linzi Hateley and Tiffany Graves as murderesses Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, who are joined in the cast from 24 March 2003 by Rolf Saxon and Zee Asha as Billy Flynn and Mama Morton.

Based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, Chicago has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Scenic design is by John Lee Beatty, costumes by William Ivey Long, lighting by Ken Billington and sound by Rick Clarke. Musical supervision is by Rob Fisher and musical direction by Gareth Valentine. The production is choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse and directed by Walter Bobbie.

- by Terri Paddock

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