Chicago is one of my all-time favourite musical, I used to watch it over and over when I was younger on VCR (remember those?) so seeing it live on stage was long overdue. We made a proper girly night of it—starting with a pre-show dinner at Wagamama’s before heading over to the Bournemouth Pavilion. We popped into the press event before hand because we just had to get a pic with the feather boas—it was too fun to resist!
The show is running at the Pavilion until Saturday, April 5, and it boasts an incredible cast. Strictly Come Dancing’s Janette Manrara takes on the role of Roxie Hart, bringing so much charm and energy to the stage. Sinitta shines as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton, delivering powerhouse vocals, and Dan Burton is the ultimate smooth-talking Billy Flynn, effortlessly commanding the stage.
From the opening number, the show had me hooked. The choreography was so sharp and full of energy—every move was perfectly timed, and the cast was completely in sync. Having a live band on stage really elevated the experience, making iconic numbers like “All That Jazz” and “Cell Block Tango” even more thrilling.
Janette was fantastic as Roxie—she captured the character’s cheeky, ambitious nature so well. Sinitta brought real presence and attitude to Mama Morton, and her voice was just incredible. And Dan Burton? The definition of charm. His performance of “Razzle Dazzle” was a definite highlight.
The whole production was so polished—the simple yet effective staging, the moody lighting, and the stylish costumes all added to the show’s slick, sultry vibe. You could tell that every single person on that stage and behind the scenes was giving it their all.
I loved every second of it. If you’re anywhere near Bournemouth, I can’t recommend Chicago enough—make sure to catch it before it finishes on April 5. It’s a show packed with talent, energy, and pure entertainment!
