THEATRE REVIEW: Chicago

The legendary musical becomes LegenDerry as it visits the Millennium Forum - but is it really all that jazz, or not enough razzle dazzle?

I've always had an uneasy relationship with the musical Chicago. It's the sort of thing that can very easily be seen as immoral, smug and hypocritical cotton candy; is getting away with murder, violence, adultery, sleaziness, alienation, exploitation, corruption and treachery really something to be celebrated in song and dance? But therein lies the paradox of Chicago; for what it is, that is to say, an absurdly well paced musical, it works as a deliriously rousing melodic satire. And this particular version is brilliantly choreographed, superbly staged and rather well acted too – in other words, well worth a trip to the theatre.

"Murder is a form of entertainment", says a key character at one point, and it holds true in 1920s Chicago as much as anywhere else, where Roxie Hart (Ali Bastian, almost three years from being robbed of what would have been a deserved Strictly Come Dancing triumph) finds herself in jail for murder along with numerous other women, including singing sensation Velma Kelly (Tupele Dorgu). The rest of the show primarily focuses on Roxie, Velma and their attempts to clear their name, with the help of notorious criminal lawyer Billy Flynn (Stefan Booth, recently of Eastenders).

This is the sort of show where, no matter where you look on the stage, there's almost always something for the eyes and ears to savour, be it the acting, singing, choreography or orchestrations. As far as major musicals go, Chicago is as close to an interactive experience as you can get without actually having to leave your seats and dance on stage; both orchestra and audience find themselves involved in the "swing" of the production numerous times throughout the evening, whether they are clapping along to "All That Jazz" or "Roxie" (the character, not the song!) is chatting up the bandleader!

Ali Bastian... a "smouldering" Roxie

Speaking of Roxie, Ali Bastian absolutely smoulders in this part. Her deceptively skinny and slight frame convincingly hides the devious minx that lies within. She's virtually impossible to look away from, even while the excellent Jamie Baughan is stealing scenes as Roxie’s sad sack husband Amos. Tupele Dorgu has just the right amount of diction, conviction and bullishness to make her the perfect Velma, and Genevieve Nicole (standing in for the unfortunately absent Bernie Nolan) is a suitably domineering onstage presence. Not quite as impressive is Stefan Booth, whose Frank Sinatra-esque charisma and vocal abilities don't quite seem suited for Billy Flynn. It’s interesting to contrast Booth with Richard Gere, a tone deaf "actor" who milked the part for all it was worth, and realize that it is Gere's performance that's more memorable. Perhaps this is why his rendition of "Razzle Dazzle" is literally lacking in razzle dazzle. Still, his remains a solid portrayal, with the staggering "We Both Reached For The Gun", getting the biggest roar of appreciation on the night.

Ultimately, Chicago is at its best when it maintains a breezy, satirical tone – when it tries to be serious, as is the case with the song "Class", the spirit of the show has been so frivolous that we have little reason to care. Indeed, the only character we truly care for is Amos – and he gets one song! Fortunately these "grim" moments are few and far between, and the audience will leave the theatre having learnt a thing or two about the power of song and dance... and a little bit more.

(Photos courtesy of the Millennium Forum.)

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City Of Culture 2013 Programme Launch: Quotes And News

Derry-Londonderry's Culture Company launches the first edition of the City Of Culture Programme for 2013

Celebrating the City Of Culture Programme Launch at Ebrington Square. From left to right at the front are: Shona McCarthy, Culture Company CEO; Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister; Martin Bradley, Culture Company Chairman; Cllr Kevin Campbell, Mayor Of Derry. Photo: Martin McKeown, inpresspics.com

Today, the first edition of the programme for Derry-Londonderry 2013, the UK's inaugural City Of Culture, was announced.

The coming year will see The Maiden City host a rich, varied programme of arts and entertainments. Among these will be the presentation of the Turner Prize, taking place outside England for the first time; a new commission by the London Symphony Orchestra; award-winning choreographer Hofesh Schechter and his big-picture vision of oppression, survival, resistance and existence, "Political Mother"; the return of the Field Day theatre company, who promise an eclectic programme of stage performance, new media and exhibitions; a new play by American playwright Sam Shepard; local Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney; and the first visit to Northern Ireland by the Royal Ballet for more than twenty years.

City Of Culture 2013 mascot Oaky Doakes strolls around Ebrington Square. Photo: Tom Heaney, nwpresspics.com

The year will open with "Sons & Daughters", a free concert staged in a new purpose-built pavilion in the heart of the city, on the banks of the River Foyle. The concert, co-produced by the BBC, will celebrate Derry's rich musical heritage.

Here's what some of the people involved at the launch had to say:

Shona McCarthy, Culture Company CEO:

"We hope that Derry-Londonderry's City Of Culture year brings a sense of joy, a sense of ambition, a sense of pride in our community, a sense of being part of a global community, and in the end a sense of achievement - that we all did this together and it meant something. A huge success for a small city."

Cllr Kevin Campbell, Mayor Of Derry:

"The City Of Culture year will transform our city and region. The range of contemporary music, dance, theatre, arts and performance events will link our diverse communities in programmes of celebration. The exciting programme of events scheduled for 2013 will encourage, develop and showcase our amazing cultural talent to the world and lay the foundations for economic prosperity for years to come."

Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín:

"2013 promises to be a momentous year for Derry and for this part of Ireland. With such an exciting programme of events to suit everyone's tastes, the endorsement this week from the Lonely Planet and the sheer dedication to make this happen, Derry, City Of Culture, is not to be missed. Derry is ready to embrace this opportunity and to showcase Ireland's rich culture and heritage on the local and international stage."

For more information, check out www.cityofculture2013.com.

(Video courtesy of Rory McSwiggan. Animation courtesy of The Nerve Centre, with music by Gary Curran of The Japanese Popstars.) Read more...

The Gypsy Queens Visit Belfast

Today, in response to our interview with bassist Jason King, Si's Sights And Sounds received a little "present" from multi-national busking band The Gypsy Queens. Sit back and enjoy this brief video clip, courtesy of Niki Alexandrou of Cleanfeed Media...

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