Murder, sex – all that jazz
BALLINA Players' latest production takes us to 1920's Chicago, Illinois, where murder, corruption, sex and jazz are big news.
The musical Chicago features larger-than-life characters, and focuses on strong women, particularly the merry murderesses, vaudeville performer Velma Kelly (Natalie Havilah) and chorus girl Roxie Hart (Lali Gill), who find themselves locked up in Cook County Jail and become media sensations.
There the corrupt Matron "Mama" Morton (Jacqui McCalman) will provide anything they need under a system of mutual benefit. In her words: "When you're good to Mama, Mama's good to you."
The unscrupulous Mama first favours Velma, then her attention moves to Roxie. Velma and Roxie finally discover that fame is fleeting.
Chicago is based on a play of the same name by Chicago Tribune reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins. She wrote sensational coverage of the 1924 trials of two murderesses, and fictionalised an account of the cases in her play.
The musical takes up the story through song and dance and the excitement of Vaudeville.
Chicago, directed by Sue and Paul Belsham and choreographed by Jamie Whittingham, will be staged at the Players Theatre from June 15 to July 7, with evening performances at 8pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm. There will be a 2pm matinee on Saturday, July 7
Tickets are available at Just Funkin Music, phone 6686 2440.
Opening night on Friday, June 15, is a black-tie event.
