The Archives: The West End Beckons

Chicago

9^th July 2005 at the Adelphi Theatre, London

Cast

Announcer/June … Kathryn Dunn

Velma Kelly … Charley Isabella King

Roxie Hart … Brooke Shields

Fred Casely … Tobias Walbom

Sergeant Fogarty/Judge … Simon Breen

Amos Hart … Robert Hands

Liz … Kay Murphy

Annie … Katy Carroll

Hunyak … Cameron Leigh

Mona … Sarah Soetaert

Matron ‘Mama’ Morton … Zee Asha

Billy Flynn … Clarke Peters

Mary Sunshine …Alex Weatherill

Go-to-Hell Kitty … Ebony Molina

Harry/Bailiff/Court Clerk … Dean Street

Doctor … Simon Breen

Aaron … Chris Ellis-Stanton

Martin Harrison … Scott Ryan Vickers

The Jury … Steven Grace

McVicars Announcer … Sergio Priftis

First trip to a West End theatre, made for my sister's birthday, only two days after the July bombings, so were understandably nervous using the Underground. As this was our first time, we had not learnt the benefits of booking seats close to the front, and so watched much of the show through binoculars. 

There is really nothing like a West End show. Chicago was known for being one of the first shows to exhibit 'names' in the parts, some time before Andrew Lloyd Webber sold out by beginning a series of reality tv shows to create new 'names' for his musicals. Brooke Shields was the 'name' in the show when we went, and she played the role extremely well, although the plaudits of the evening have to go to Charley Isabella King who played a savage, sarcastic but hilarious Velma Kelly. An honourable mention also goes to Robert Hands, who elicited huge sympathy from the audience and a massive round of applause when he took his bow. The staging was also particualrly memorable, the cast would interact with the audience, often calling for their 'exit music' (in Amos' case, they ignore him, promptng sympathetic noises from the audience). 

As someone whose only knowledge of this show came from the 2002 film, I was pleasantly surprised to see how very different the live show was. It was my first trip to the West End, it wouldn't be the last.

Theatre Links

• Charley Isabella King was a backing dancer in the Chicago film, as well as the 2005 film version of The Producers.
• Clarke Peters (Billy Flynn) was the author of Four Guys Named Moe. He also portrayed Walter de Courcey in the 2008 concert of Chess.