Review: Chicago at The Bristol Hippodrome gets 5 Stars!
Posted on: 20 May 2025Vivienne Kennedy reviews Chicago, playing at The Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday 24 May 2025 and gives it the full 5 stars.
There is little better than revisiting an old favourite, and finding you still love it just as much. That’s certainly true for me in the case of Chicago, which has returned to The Bristol Hippodrome as part of its UK tour.
Loosely based on the true stories of court cases reported on in the 1920s by journalist Maurine Dallas Watkins, who also wrote the original play, this tale of murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery, and treachery (all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts) was turned into a musical by composer John Kander, lyricist Fred Ebb, and choreographer Bob Fosse back in 1975 and has been delighting audiences ever since. This is my third or fourth time watching it and I enjoy it just as much as I did the first.
This production features Fosse-inspired choreography by Ann Reinking, which has been re-created by Gary Chryst; every single movement has been carefully thought out, and it’s executed to perfection. The whole show is slick and stylish, fast-paced, with barely a moment between one fabulous song or dance routine and the next.
Faye Brookes and Djalenga Scott play Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly. They are young, beautiful, and definitely guilty, but they get away with their crimes, thanks to the skills of hotshot lawyer Billy Flynn, played by Kevin Clifton. The challenge is, how do they make their fifteen minutes of fame last when the reporters move swiftly on to the next big story?
As prison officer ‘Mama’ Morton, Brenda Edwards’s rendition of When You’re Good to Mama is quite possibly the best I have ever heard that song performed, but even better is Class, her second act duet with Velma. They both have beautiful voices, and they sound fantastic together.
Chicago is packed with memorable tunes, many of which play in my head regularly, so it’s too difficult to pick a favourite but Cell Block Tango, We Both Reached For the Gun, and Hot Honey Rag all make the shortlist.
One of my favourite aspects of the show has always been the band being on stage throughout. Led by musical director Neil Macdonald, they play their part with relish and appear to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. They get their own moments of glory when they’re showcased during the Entr’acte and following the finale, on both occasions receiving enthusiastic, and very well-deserved, rounds of applause.
Chicago plays at Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday 24 May with performances at 7.30pm each evening plus matinees at 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturday. It’s a great show and one I don’t hesitate to give a full five stars.
Please note, the age guidance is 13+
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Vivienne Kennedy says she lives and works in Bristol but sleeps in Weston-super-Mare, which is where she’s actually lived pretty much all her life. During the day, she is Head of Broadmead BID (Business Improvement District), supporting retailers in Bristol Shopping Quarter. Away from work, she’s been reviewing theatre, music and art in Bristol for more than 12 years and is rarely happier than when watching a good show at the Hippodrome or Old Vic.
