Chicago - U.K. Tour

[Deleted]

Heard a rumour today that this was returning to London next year, possibly with Sheridan Smith. No idea if will turn out to be true or not. Wondered if anyone else had heard rumblings of this?

[LaLuPone]

Don't really like the show, I appreciate why people do but for me there's not enough staging/set and it just gets boring at points. I'd probably go see it for Sheridan though. Sheridan as Roxy rather than Velma I'm guessing?

[Deleted]

Or Mama Morton? 

[ali973]

I've said some pretty foul things about her in the Performers Board, and I still stand by them, but I think this is a pretty okay gig for her. She'd probably do a good Roxy (versus the awfulness that was Funny Girl).

Chicago is a masterpiece. I feel that this gorgeous version of it that premiered in '99 in London has been way exploited to a new level of commercial low (as is its current Broadway run), but when it's done right, it's very very good and an excellent and timeless musical.

[Stephen]

I always enjoy Chicago as a fun night at the theatre. In this case I would love to see Sheridan in it although it would be an "easy" job for her.

Also having seen Sam Bailey on tour last year I would love to see her again as Mama Morton...I thought that she was brilliant in the role!

[Deleted]

Strangely I was only considering today how I’d happily revisit Chicago again soon, as when I saw it in London during its Garrick run I enjoyed it very much.

As for Sheridan, I agree she could play Roxy in this well, I’d love to see Natasha Barnes opposite her as Velma though, that would be a hoot! Dream Mama Morton: Ruth Jones. There, I’ve said it.

[Mark]

It's definitely a crowd pleaser. Haven't seen it in a long while and Sheridan would be great.

[zak97]

If this were to happen would the Phoenix/Playhousr be the only options? Can’t think where else would be free.

[Jon]

Nov 5, 2017 19:20:25 GMT ali973 said:

Chicago is a masterpiece. I feel that this gorgeous version of it that premiered in '99 in London has been way exploited to a new level of commercial low (as is its current Broadway run), but when it's done right, it's very very good and an excellent and timeless musical.

They ran it into the ground in London. I personally think they shouldn't be having these old productions back in the West End when there are plenty of new shows. 

[ali973]

Nov 5, 2017 19:34:46 GMT @tom89 said:

Strangely I was only considering today how I’d happily revisit Chicago again soon, as when I saw it in London during its Garrick run I enjoyed it very much.

As for Sheridan, I agree she could play Roxy in this well, I’d love to see Natasha Barnes opposite her as Velma though, that would be a hoot! Dream Mama Morton: Ruth Jones. There, I’ve said it.

They're both too much of a similar type to play opposite each other, and Natasha doesn't come across as dangerous. Velma needs to be a total vamp, and someone who has been around the block and then back. 

I also think that Chicago has always been a great show that gave great opportunities for minorities, so I really would like to see a POC play someone like Velma if Sheridan Smith plays Roxy. Okay, fine, if not, Caroline O'Connor again, please. I know she played Velma on Broadway, Australia and world tour, but I don't remember if she was ever in London. 

[Jon]

I personally don't want Chicago clogging up a theatre for years on end again when it did almost 15 years in the West End. The West End isn't a museum and there's too many long runners at the moment.

[tmesis]

I'd welcome it. Never saw the London run but there was an excellent production at The Curve in Leicester a few Christmases back. It's a superb musical.

[Deleted]

It is a superb musical. And it doesn’t have to be resurrected in the form that overstayed its welcome in the West End a few years back. There’s plenty of life in the old girl yet but it’s time for a change of pants!

[BurlyBeaR]

Please just no with the Sheridan.

[robertb213]

Great musical but I wouldn't go again with Sheridan in it. I'm not a huge fan of her voice (great actress though)

[BurlyBeaR]

Great actress. Not a good enough singer or dancer.

[Deleted]

I doubt Sheridan will do another big musical anytime soon. She did Funny Girl for a year and a half, and with her tour and album promo, she will probably stick to TV for a little while. She also appears to only do a big musical somewhat spaced out. It wouldbe good for her to go back to TV and so some comedy or drama again.

That said, I think she'd be a great Roxy, so if it were to happen at any point, it would certainly be fun to see. Even though I'm not the biggest fan of Chicago as a musical, a smart casting choice could draw me there.

[Jon]

Nov 5, 2017 21:16:46 GMT danieljohnson14 said:

I doubt Sheridan will do another big musical anytime soon. She did Funny Girl for a year and a half, and with her tour and album promo, she will probably stick to TV for a little while. She also appears to only do a big musical somewhat spaced out. It wouldbe good for her to go back to TV and so some comedy or drama again.

That said, I think she'd be a great Roxy, so if it were to happen at any point, it would certainly be fun to see. Even though I'm not the biggest fan of Chicago as a musical, a smart casting choice could draw me there.

She has filmed a series for ITV called Clean Break

[Deleted]

Also, is it just me who wants to see an actual revival of this show? I get that it has run 20-something years, but can't be have more than just black costumes and the same choreography. I wanna see someone have a proper crack at giving it a new lease of life.

I had a friend who saw the Broadway production and he said it was pretty awful, bit that wasn't the shows fault per-se, apparently the cast were basically sleep-walking through their performances and giving zero energy or excitement, and they really needed the director to go back in and show them a thing or two.

[Deleted]

ugh no to Sheridan, she does a variation on the same performance in every musical (little shop, legally blonde, funny girl) ive seen her in (i.e. ditzy but likeable blonde, mugging to audience and everything for laughs)

[ptwest]

I remember my first visit, the pairing was Ruthie Henshall and Nicola Hughes - they were sensational, as was the rest of the cast. If there were to be a revival the casting needs to hit the level of competence this show had when it (re)opened.

[Stephen]

Nov 5, 2017 21:35:42 GMT @outlander said:

ugh no to Sheridan, she does a variation on the same performance in every musical (little shop, legally blonde, funny girl) ive seen her in (i.e. ditzy but likeable blonde, mugging to audience and everything for laughs)

I get what you mean but I thought that she was really great in Funny Girl, especially her emotions in the last 20 minutes.

[Jon]

Nov 5, 2017 21:34:08 GMT danieljohnson14 said:

Also, is it just me who wants to see an actual revival of this show? I get that it has run 20-something years, but can't be have more than just black costumes and the same choreography. I wanna see someone have a proper crack at giving it a new lease of life.

I had a friend who saw the Broadway production and he said it was pretty awful, bit that wasn't the shows fault per-se, apparently the cast were basically sleep-walking through their performances and giving zero energy or excitement, and they really needed the director to go back in and show them a thing or two.

Chicago on Broadway is a great example that if long Runner isn’t refreshed or updated, it’s become a museum piece or an animated corpse of a show.

[LaLuPone]

Nov 5, 2017 22:04:19 GMT @kevinuk said:

I just don’t get why they would think there’s an audience for it when it’s been gone what, 3 or 4 years?

And it only toured last year!

[danb]

We went in the first couple of months with Ute Lemper & Ruthie and it was smoking hot...The whole cast moved as one and it was funny and really stylish. I never went back though as the casting seemed to get a bit low rent quite quickly and talk of it getting tired spread.