Chicago, Cambridge Theatre

It’s Good, Isn’t It Grand, Isn’t It Swell!

Having seen Connie appear in The Sound of Music, I thought I’d complete the experience by going to see Maria finalist Aoife Mulholland appearing as Roxie Hart in Chicago. It’s one of those shows that I’ve always roughly intended to see, but find myself putting off because it threatens to run indefinitely. Anyway, I finally made it to the Cambridge Theatre and I was very glad I did.

Hot, raunchy, dark and seedy. Most people could testify that this is Chicago’s world. At the same time, however, it’s a very original and inspirational piece of theatre. With a small company that rotates parts and a contained, empty stage space like a gaping black hole, it’s a shining example of good ensemble theatre without any frills.

The cast play dancers, reporters and court officials whilst remaining in one costume throughout and witnessing the action from the edges of the stage. As well as constantly changing roles, the drama is also constantly changing styles as we see marionettes, melodrama and the 1930s musical, along with music that ranges from the tango to the rag.

The band is an integral part of the show, the conductor, Corin Buckeridge, essentially holding it all together. Heavily brass-dominated, they are placed on a raked stand gazing down upon the action. The expressive jazz music is complemented by choreography that is wholly slick and precise. Predominantly done in the style of Bob Fosse, there is that continual dichotomy between the humorous and the sophisticated, with movements which are at once graceful and strangely angular.

Aoife, finally, makes a brilliant Roxie. She is likeable and manipulative simultaneously, sexy and girlish at the same time. Gurgling and giggling, she delivers her monologue about her transition from fooling around to screwing around (which is basically just skipping dinner). She is partnered by Annette McLaughlin as Velma Kelly, at least a foot taller, making a fantastic double-act, with both women being powerful singers and dancers.

The company is made up of thin, toned women and men with swelling pecs in leather waistcoats and clinging trousers. I usually come out of a production like this feeling desperately unfit and inflexible, but I left the Cambridge theatre too uplifted by my Chicago experience to dwell on that. What I had foreseen would be a raunchy, commercial show turned out to be an exemplary piece of theatre.

Anna Brewer : 07 Jan 2007 13:20 |  Comments (2) |  Report a problem