Chicago

Dazzling costumes, saucy songs and brilliant acting – West Town’s production of Chicago had it all. Directed by and starring Olivia Still, this production raised the bar of the house drama competition 2008.

As Velma Kelly, Olivia Still had enough venom in some of her lines to rival a rattlesnake, and her excellent singing skills didn’t disappoint. But for me, Lucy Curtis really stole the show, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she is one of the main contenders for the Best Actor Award. She slipped as seamlessly into the part as she did into that glorious flapper’s outfit, and with girly giggles and a cheeky grin, she performed flawlessly.

However it would be unfair not to mention Kirsten Gill who played the unfortunate husband Amos, winning the audience’s hearts and gathering the biggest “aw!” of all.

The set design was distinctly minimalist and although it worked well in the excellent rendition of “Cell Block Tango,” I felt at times had it not been for Emma Palmer’s announcements as the Master of Ceremonies, we would have been confused as to where the scene was taking place.

But overall I thoroughly enjoyed Chicago, a show which no doubt will be a tough act to follow, and whose star performances gave the likes of Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere & Renée Zellweger a run for their money.