Chicago (Tour – Sunderland)

The “Razzle Dazzle” of Chicago struts it’s stuff to Sunderland with Tupele Dorgu stealing the limelight with her feisty performance as Velma Kelly.

Set in the 1920s, celebrity culture appears just as rife then as some might say it is now, with Velma and Roxie vying for the cover story of their purported murderous acts.

The touring production of the classic Chicago has all the glitz and glamour of the West End. The orchestra sits in a “wedge” at the back of the stage, playing a central and integrated part of the story and allowing the cast to appear from various angles around the musicians. The music is vibrant and the lighting atmospheric; the story moves along at a fair pace with plenty classic numbers being shared amongst the cast.

Understudy Chloe Ames is a cute and convincing Roxie, but is no match to the powerful voice and legs of Dorgu, who could glide around the stage with ease whilst launching from one song to the next. The opening with “All That Jazz” sets Dorgu apart from the rest instantly.

Stefan Booth is a well placed Billy Flynn who holds his own as the media-savvy lawyer, both with his portrayal of the character and his vocal numbers. Bernie Nolan is a comfy fit as prison matriarch “Mama” Morton.

There’s no doubting the skills of the ensemble, vocally and particularly physically with precision moves and flowing strides to complement the songs and story.

A fine West End show on tour, ticking all the boxes when it comes to story, singing and a little “Cell Block Tango”.