Janette Manrara dazzles as Roxie Hart in Chicago

North Wales Chronicle

30-04-2025

On Tuesday, Chicago The Musical had it's opening night for its run at the Llandudno theatre.
Headlining as Roxie Hart was Strictly star Janette Manrara.
Her skills as a dancer were brought to the fore, elevating the routines and physical comedy the role demands - but can she sing?
The answer, simply, is yes.
(Image: Chicago The Musical/Venue Cymru) Manrara's vocals were on point, particularly in the dualling duets with Velma Kelly in an equally stunning performance from Djalenga Scott.
When experiencing Chicago, you are suddenly struck with how many of the iconic musical numbers are ingrained in your memory.
Show opener All that Jazz, Razzle Dazzle, Roxie, and my personal favourite Cell Block Tango (He Had it Coming) are delivered perfectly, carrying the sordid tale of crime and stardom along the most entertaining way.
Members of the audience couldn't help but sing along to the well known hits such as All that Jazz, Cell Block Tango, We Both Reached for the Gun, and Razzle Dazzle.
Set in the 1920s, we see Roxie Hart end up in Cook County Jail after murdering her lover on-the-side in a fit of rage, after he threatened to walk out on her.
In attempts to avoid conviction, Roxie teams up with the slickest criminal lawyer in Chicago who turns her crime into fame, much to the horror of her cellmate and rival Velma.
Scott and Manrara are excellent as Velma and Roxie, serving sass and emotion with breath-taking physicality and top-notch vocals.
Alongside the jailbirds, the talented ensemble deliver an incredible display of Bob Fosse's iconic work.
There was real love from the audience for Joshua Lloyd's portrayal of Amos Hart, and Jordan Lee Davies as Mary Sunshine, Dan Burton as Billy Flynn, and Victoria Anderson as Mama Morton, were equally excellent and note perfect.
Fosse's choreography shines throughout, reaching perfection with Cell Block Tango, I Can't Do it Alone, and We Both Reached for the Gun.
The stark black set and stark spotlights are used expertly to conjure the environments of the county jail, jazz clubs, and the courthouse.
The show's themes are dark and serious, with a whole heap of cynicism, but due to the show's high energy and wit, the fun and excitement never let up for a second.
The extremely talented live orchestra are also more than worthy of note, their belting performances setting pulses racing and transporting the audience to the seedy world of jazz clubs.
It was so refreshing to witness the orchestra on stage throughout the whole show, adding that extra feeling that we were looking into a jazz club.
Chicago The Musical razzles and dazzles from the opening note to the final curtain, and will be running at Llandudno's Venue Cymru until May 3.