REVIEW: Chicago The Musical at Derngate, Northampton

The award-winning Broadway and West End musical Chicago is back in Northampton and is running until Saturday.

It’s a star-studded cast with West End and EastEnders actor John Partridge as Billy Flynn, Dancing On Ice winner and Coronation Street star Hayley Tamaddon as Roxie Hart, and X Factor winner and real life prison warden Sam Bailey as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton.

They line up against a great supporting cast, full of energy and throwing themselves into their various roles in and around the cell block of sin.

Anyone with tickets should prepare themselves for more than two hours of sexy, sassy songs sung and performed by men and women wearing numerous variations on the black lace theme.

There’s no shortage of fishnet tights or hot red lipstick as the tale based on events back in the 1920s unfolds.

Nightclub singer Roxie Hart shoots her lover and along with cell block rival, double-murderess Velma Kelly, they fight to save themselves from death row with the help of smooth talking lawyer Billy Flynn.

It was a shame that Hayley Tamaddon did not appear in yesterday’s performance, but the role of Roxie Hart was in safe hands with Lindsey Tierney taking the lead.

John Partridge, best-known for playing Christian in Eastenders, lit up the stage with his West End experience shining through.

His exuberance could not be faulted as the charismatic character charmed his clients and the press before winning over the courtroom.

It would have been nice to see and hear more of Sam Bailey, but her rendition of Class with Sophie Carmen-Jones as Velma Kelly was a crowd-pleaser.

Another notable scene was the Cell Block Tango featuring Velma and the girls - you certainly wouldn’t mess with any of these ladies.

Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, Chicago’s score includes All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle and the dancing is sharp, energetic and almost eye-watering at times.

Chicago is on at the Derngate until Saturday, May 28.

However, the theatre website states Sam Bailey will not be performing on Wednesday, Friday or Saturday.

For more details or to book tickets call the Box Office on 01604 624811 or click here