Chicago returns to the London stage at Phoenix Theatre

what a birthday treat fantastic show brilliant cast thankyou for making my day

AMAZING - Well worth going to watch, the cast were spectacular, made you feel as though you were a part of it all.

Saw Chicago on July 21st for the 7:30, 19:30 showing and was very pleased. Theater is small and old but I am 5’6 and my husband 6’1 and there was just enough leg room. The cast was energetic and put on a great performance. I had read other reviews that bashed the production but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Maybe my standards are lower but I had no complaints. Orchestra/ band was great.

Is there a 0 rating? Chicago – don’t waste your money or time on one of the most amateur productions and a cast that have reached their expiry dates! As South Africans, we do not have many opportunities to go to the theatre to see stage productions, and as part of our holiday, my partner wanted to treat me to a show for my birthday, and paid quite a handsome amount of pounds to see Chicago, in London! Yay, the excitement and build-up was incredible for the evening show at 19:30 on the 16th of July 2018, BUT… DISASTER struck! What a complete disappointment. The singing – off pitch Billy Flynn, you sound even worse than Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia, did you actually rehearse the part?; Roxie, your vibrato mutes the actual notes, not bad acting, but where’s your voice, or was it the ‘sound-engineer’…? Mr Sellofane – very missible, the reason why they chose you for this part. Shall I continue? The acting – did the cast have a drink-fest the previous night? There was no gutspa, passion or energy on stage, none whatsoever, like they were doing us a favour and forced themselves to ‘get through it’. The dilapidated theatre – the seats are ruined, worn and oh so uncomfortable! Is this a first world production in a first world country??? NOT! I had the privilege to see the amazingly fabulous and professional South African production (thank you Peter Toerien), and loved it so much that I went a second time – every cent worth it, in fact 100% better than this pathetic excuse of a high school musical! Can the owners of this production: 1. Ensure that cast members are cast properly in future, if you want to continue with this show, and change the theatre already! 2. Refund us! Or at least just cancel this show, it’s ruining the thrill and excitement of Chicago, the musical! Martin PS: thank you to the ‘female’ reporter, Mama Morton and the 3 or 4 dancers that gave it their all!

Amazing! Loved this production. Cast absolutely fantastic, music outstanding, well worth a visit. We loved every single moment and thought it was amazing value.

The next time you see a headline asking the question "Why is West End Theatre struggling?", here's the answer. I was unfortunate enough to experience this poor outing of a great musical a few weeks ago. Cuba Gooding Jr wasn't just awful, he was embarrassingly, watch it through your fingers awful. He can't sing, can't dance and has less stage presence than the cardboard in the scenery. He played the part like he was reading from an idiot board and even then managed to fluff the lines at least 5 times to my count. Ruthie Henshall was woefully miscast as Mama and seemed as bored singing and phoning in the lines as I was watching her. I truly feel for the rest of the cast who did their part brilliantly but probably end each performance with backache from all the heavy lifting of these two dead weights. The performance I saw cost me the best part of two hundred quid. I'd have had more fun setting the notes on fire.

Had seen the show several times in London back at The Cambridge and The Garrick and I already loved it then. Saw it multiple times on Broadway afterwards. And saw it 3 times at the end of May at The Phoenix. After seeing the show so many times you would think I would be blase but no. This London cast was/is absolutely magnificent. Sarah Soetaert is the best of all the Roxies I have seen. Josefina Gabrielle has now become my favorite Velma. Cuba Gooding Junior was fabulous. Ruthie was missing for the 3 shows I saw but her understudy was spot on. As was Cuba's. Bravo bravo bravo! And I will go back when Martin Kemp is on. Please extend your dates through the end of the year❤

Really enjoyed Chicago last night - Brilliant, upbeat show, quality dancing and singing. We were in the upper Circle and sometimes a bit hard to hear especially Cuba Gooding Junior who mumbled and to be fair was the least positive bit about the musical - thought he was poor!

The best show I’ve ever seen. It’s a must to watch!!