THEATRE REVIEW: Chicago
- Posted on September 13, 2007 5:23 PM
- 1 comment
Cambridge Theatre, 10th September.
Kelly Osbourne’s debut performance in Chicago took place on Monday. The Cambridge Theatre was tightly packed with Kelly fans and look a likes sporting thick fringes and red lipstick. It was apparent that a lot of people were only there to see Kelly play prison matron Mama Morton including Amy Winehouse, Kate Moss and Kelly’s parents, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne.
There was a metal railing that blocked my vision throughout the entire play, but from what I could see, it was a fine show. The Cambridge Theatre tends to lack the charm that most London theatres have, but, as soon as Chicago started, its cold blue walls that had previously cast an empty feel over the theatre lit up with the passion, glitz and glamour that gushed from the stage.
Once everyone had stopped shouting Sharon and Ozzy’s names, the play began. Gorgeous women wearing sassy costumes that twinkled under the spot lights sung, cooed and outwitted the male characters of the play. Chicago was made for women that have ever been tempted to get revenge their partner. It portrays women as feisty, intelligent creatures who should not be taken for a ride – and maybe also kind of manipulative. ‘No body walks out on me,’ Roxy screams. BANG. And then ‘oh, I need to pee.’ She indulges in short, sweet revenge and then straight back to the everyday stuff - not a glimmer of doubt or a moment of reflection. It was hard not to notice the men shifting nervously as they glanced up at their wives who were laughing a little too hard. BANG.
Chicago follows leading lady Roxy Hart though her time in prison after she shoots her bit on the side. Inside, apart from all the singing, dancing and generally happy prison times, Roxy meets Velma Kelly – Roxy’s prison rival who is desperate to get the spotlight back on her. Roxy was brilliant, seducing and damn funny.
Roxy also meets Mama Morton, prison matron who plays dirty with the inmates but acts their guard. As soon as Kelly swaggered on to the stage, a rapturous applause thundered through the theatre. As she began to sing, people seemed wildly impressed. The girl who once spluttered out words to her song ‘Shut Up’ was now standing before an audience in awe. In fact, her voice was one of the better ones. It was rich and satisfying, always hitting the note and had a certain depth to it. Her acting was sharp and perfected, teetering on sensuous.
Chicago is mesmerizing and inspiring. It’s loud, energetic and sexy. My favourite line of the show was: ‘ I am older than I ever intended to be.’ That just says it all really, doesn’t it?
- Zarina Raja
Tags
Amy Winehouse, Chicago, Kelly Oxbourne, Musical, Review
Comments (1)
Kate Spiegelhalter
Wish had been there. What else's Kelly gonna be in then?, might catch her the next time round...
Posted on September 21, 2007 10:23 AM
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