Andrew Ffrench loves the latest version of Chicago at the New Theatre but says Sam Bailey was outshone

X Factor star Sam Bailey tried her best to razzle dazzle the audience in this latest production of the musical Chicago and her musical theatre debut.

She used her powerful singing voice to great effect at the New Theatre in the role of Matron Mama Morton, but her lack of experience as an actress showed and she was thus outshone by other members of this glittering cast.

It is clear from the start of this popular show, originally directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse, that a crime has been committed and that Roxie Hart, played by Hayley Tamaddon, is guilty of murdering her lover.

Fellow bad girl Velma Kelly, played by Sophie Carmen-Jones, is also accused of killing her man and the pair collude with lawyer Billy Flynn (John Partridge) and the gutter press to convince the jury they are not guilty.

Hayley Tamaddon grabbed the audience’s attention early on as Roxie by singing Funny Honey from the top of a ladder, but it was Sophie Carmen-Jones in the role of Velma who stole the show with her fluid dance moves and excellent singing.

We Both Reached For The Gun was a fabulous first-half highlight, with clever lyrics underlining the hypocrisy of the press and legal system turning a blind eye to murder in 1920s Chicago because the killer has a pretty face.

With the orchestra as a permanent backdrop, the musical numbers came thick and fast and the up-tempo songs worked best. It’s easy to forget how many memorable songs there are, including the opener All That Jazz but when Neil Ditt tried to win the audience’s sympathy as Roxie’s naive husband Amos, his solo rendition of catchy Mr Cellophane was rather stark and needed some backing from the dancing girls.

This is a musical designed to sparkle and shine and the ensemble dance numbers were sexy and stylish.

Costumes left little to the imagination and the moves of the male dancers were just as slick, suggestive and eye-catching as those of their female counterparts.

Throughout the show experienced actor John Partridge, best known for his role as Christian Clarke in EastEnders, gave a commanding performance as corrupt lawyer Billy Flynn. But even he struggled to outshine Sophie Carmen-Jones, who completely convinced the New Theatre jury.

Chicago runs until Saturday, February 20, at the New Theatre. Box office on 0844 871 3020 or atgtickets.com/oxford.

4/5