1st Night Photos: Duncan James Debuts in Chicago
The Cambridge Theatre was packed last night (9 July 2007) to see the new Billy Flynn in the long-running Chicago. The slick city lawyer is now played by Duncan James, formerly of boy-band Blue, having taken over from Maxwell Caulfield (See News). This was his first West End appearance of any sort, and fans and celebrity pals alike were out in force to support their man.
In attendance were actresses Josefina Gabrielle and Amra-Faye Wright, who played murderesses Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, Susie McKenna (Mama Morton), and Jenny Gayner (Hunyak), as well as a host of celebrity well-wishers. These included Claire Sweeney (who has herself previously appeared in the production), Tony Hibberd, and G4’s Jonathan Ansell.
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The famous 1975 musical is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins and has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The current stage revival, which transferred from Broadway, is directed by Walter Bobbie and designed by John Lee Beatty, with choreography by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse.
Duncan James is the second member of Blue to take to the West End stage. His former band member Antony Costa has had stints in Blood Brothers at the Phoenix Theatre. James is scheduled to be razzle-dazzling audiences for seven weeks.
-by Stuart Denison
