Chicago Musical Embarks on UK Tour: Dates, Cast, Venues, and What to Expect

Chicago, the iconic Broadway musical known for its thrilling tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, is set to captivate audiences across the UK in its 2024/2025 tour, including those lucky enough to get tickets at the New Theatre Oxford between Monday 24th February until Saturday 1st March 2025. 

The celebrated American musical that debuted in 1975 with Liza Minnelli, Bebe Neuwirth and Chita Rivera, featuring music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb (who also co-wrote the book with legendary choreographer Bob Fosse. Set during the jazz age in Chicago, the musical is inspired by a 1926 play of the same name by Maurine Dallas Watkins, a journalist who turned her reporting for the Chicago Tribune on real-life criminals and crimes into a theatrical script.

The narrative delves into the themes of corruption within the criminal justice system and the notion of the “celebrity criminal,” presenting a sharp critique of the way media sensationalism can influence public perception and legal outcomes. Chicago uses the vibrant energy of jazz music to enhance its satirical edge, exploring how style and flair can obscure the truth in the quest for fame.

Since this reincarnation opened in New York in 1996 (and London’s West End a year later), Chicago is choreographed by Ann Reinking (who took over the role of Roxie in 1977) in the style of Bob Fosse, directed by Walter Bobbie, and produced by Barry and Fran Weissler. Winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy, it is the longest running American musical in West End history, and closing down on the now closed Phantom of the Opera’s record in Broadway.

The show has played in 38 countries worldwide, and been performed in English, Dutch, German, Swedish, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Italian, French, Danish, Japanese and Korean.  Worldwide it has been seen by an estimated 34 million people, grossed over $1.7 billion has played over 35,000 performances.

This tour iteration celebrates over 40 years of the Chicago Musical on stage, introducing new costumes and set designs that modernize the aesthetic while staying true to the 1920s setting. The production will also include a live orchestra, enhancing the authenticity and immersive experience of the performance.

Previous tours of Chicago have garnered rave reviews, praised for their energy, elegance, and execution. Newcomers and long-time fans alike are eagerly anticipating this tour, expecting a performance that brilliantly combines drama, music, and choreography.

What is the Chicago Musical about?

Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.

Chicago offers a gripping exploration of celebrity and scandal in Jazz Age Chicago. The musical is renowned for its dynamic score and sensational choreography, featuring classic songs such as “All That Jazz” and “Cell Block Tango.” It’s a compelling narrative that questions morality in the pursuit of the American Dream.

What songs are in the Chicago Musical?

The Chicago score was written by John Kander (music) and Fred Ebb (lyrics), and main songs featured in the musical include:

1. “All That Jazz” – The opening number, sung by Velma Kelly and Company, setting the tone for the show’s theme of jazz and scandal.
2. “Funny Honey” – Sung by Roxie Hart, this song reveals her relationship with her husband and her manipulative nature.
3. “Cell Block Tango” – A powerful number performed by the women in the jail, describing the events that led to their incarcerations.
4. “When You’re Good to Mama” – Mama Morton, the matron of the jail, explains the reciprocity needed to get favors within the prison walls.
5. “Tap Dance” – An instrumental piece featuring a tap dance routine.
6. “All I Care About” – Billy Flynn, the slick lawyer, sings about his love for love itself (and money).
7. “A Little Bit of Good” – Mary Sunshine sings about finding the good in everyone.
8. “We Both Reached for the Gun” – Billy Flynn and Roxie Hart perform this number during a press conference, where Flynn manipulates the media like a puppet master.
9. “Roxie” – Roxie fantasizes about her life as a celebrity and her trial as a stepping stone to fame.
10. “I Can’t Do It Alone” – Velma Kelly tries to convince Roxie to join her in a double act.
11. “My Own Best Friend” – Roxie and Velma reflect on their situations and decide they are their own best allies.
12. “Me and My Baby” – Roxie celebrates the public’s interest in her due to her pregnancy.
13. “Mister Cellophane” – Amos Hart, Roxie’s overlooked husband, laments how he is ignored by everyone.
14. “Razzle Dazzle” – Billy Flynn explains how to wow a jury in court through showmanship.
15. “Class” – Velma and Mama Morton bemoan the lack of class in modern society.
16. “Nowadays” – Roxie reflects on modern life and its moral flexibility.
17. “Hot Honey Rag” – An instrumental number used as Roxie and Velma’s show-stopping finale.
18. “Finale” – The company concludes the show reflecting the ongoing cycle of fame and corruption.

Tour Overview

The UK tour of Chicago kicks off in early 2025, with performances scheduled in major cities including London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. Audiences across the country can expect a dazzling production filled with intrigue, drama, and spectacular musical numbers.

Why Watch Chicago

Chicago offers a gripping exploration of celebrity and scandal in Jazz Age Chicago. The musical is renowned for its dynamic score and sensational choreography, featuring classic songs such as “All That Jazz” and “Cell Block Tango.” It’s a compelling narrative that questions morality in the pursuit of the American Dream.

The Cast

The key roles of Roxie, Velma, Mama and Billy have been announced for the 2024/2025 Chicago UK Tour

Stage and soap star Faye Brookes and much-loved performer and TV personality Brenda Edwards return to the stage as Roxie Hart and Mama Morton respectively. They are joined by Strictly Come Dancing favourite Kevin Clifton as Billy Flynn. Leading West End talent Djalenga Scott also returns to the role of Velma Kelly, starring alongside Joshua Lloyd as Amos Hart and Jordan Lee Davies as Mary Sunshine.

Faye Brookes returns to the role of Roxie Hart, having previously played her to acclaim in the 2021 UK and Ireland tour. She is best known for her role as Kate Connor in ITV’s Coronation Street, for which she won a National Television Award. Her theatre credits include Fran in Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical, Princess Fiona in Shrek and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, all on national tour, Ann/Edna in That Day We Sang directed by Victoria Wood at Manchester’s Royal Exchange, Liesl in The Sound of Music at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Frenchy in Grease at the West End’s Piccadilly Theatre. Faye’s was runner up on ITV’s Dancing On Ice in 2021, her other TV credits include Agnes Franklin in Our Zoo and Helena in Atlantis, both for the BBC.

Brenda Edwards gained public acclaim as a semi-finalist on The X Factor before turning her attention to the stage, making her West End debut as Mama Morton in CHICAGO, a role she recently reprised for the 2021/2022 UK and Ireland tour. Her additional theatre credits include Motormouth Maybelle in the UK tour of Hairspray, Nettie Fowler in Carousel at the London Coliseum, Killer Queen in We Will Rock You both the West End and original UK Tour and Pearl Pastor in Carmen Jones at the Royal Festival Hall. Brenda is also a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women as well as presenting BBC1’s Songs of Praise.

Kevin Clifton is best known as a professional dancer and winner of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, competing in seven series and five finals. He was most recently seen as Hugo/Loco Chanelle the UK tour of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. His other theatre credits include Scott Hastings in Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom, Cosmo Brown in Singin’ in the Rain at Sadler’s Wells and on tour, Stacee Jaxx in Rock Of Ages on tour, Robbie Hart in The Wedding Singer at Troubadour Wembley Park, The Artilleryman in Jeff Wayne’s The War Of The Worlds UK arena tour, Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych Theatre and Burn the Floor on Broadway, making his Broadway debut as a principal dancer.

Djalenga Scott returns to the role of Velma Kelly, having previously starred in the UK and international tours. Her West End credits include Lily St Regis in Annie at the Piccadilly Theatre, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the New London and Chicago at the Adelphi, Cambridge and Garrick Theatres. Her other credits include Anita in the national tour of West Side Story, Rizzo in Grease at Curve Leicester, Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show and Carmen in Fame, both on European tours, the US tour of Batman Live and Bombalurina in Cats at Kilworth House. Djalenga’s screen credits include Scarlett/Esme in Trapped for the BBC and Alexandra in the film I Give It A Year.

Joshua Lloyd’s theatre credits include the UK and Ireland tour of The Lion King and Choir of Man on UK and international tours.

Jordan Lee Davies most recently appeared in La Cage aux Folles at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Additional theatre credits include the original cast of Bat Out of Hell at the Manchester Opera House, London Coliseum and international tour, The Book of Mormon on UK and international tour, Chess at the London Coliseum and Les Misérables at the Queens Theatre.

The cast is completed by Bethany Adamson, Victoria Anderson, Josh Crowther, Joe Dale, Jessica Keable, Robin Kent, Annabelle Laing, Jacob McLay Reid, Jonathan Milton, George Olney, Oliver Ramsdale, Elly Shaw, Lucy Anne Stacey, Matthew Sweet and Ria Tanaka.

The cast reprises roles made famous in the 2002 Oscar-winning film adaptation by Hollywood actors Renée Zellweger (Roxie Hart), Catherine Zeta-Jones (Velma Kelly), Richard Gere (Billy Flynn), Queen Latifah (Matron “Mama” Morton), and John C. Reilly (Amos Hart).

Chicago Musical UK Tour Dates