Chicago, Illinois. The LATE 1920S – Chicago the Musical

The program for Chicago the Musical

In a previous blog I told the story of the Adelphi Theatre in London´s West End where I went to see the musical Chicago. But how did it happen? I guess I was in the right place at the right time.

I just arrived in London and was sharing a room in the Royal National Hotel with a very nice woman who was in London for business. I completely forgot her name. She mentioned that she wanted to watch Chicago the musical and asked me if I wanted to join her. It didn´t take me long to decide!

My ticket!

She reserved tickets for us and all I had to do was to pick it up at one of the outlets in the city. We decided to share the cost of a London black cab taxi (they are very expensive). It was also my first ride in one of those and believe me a big treat.

Velma: (Roommate to Nelieta)
Come on, Babe
Why don’t we paint the town?
And All That Jazz
I’m gonna rouge my knees
And roll my stockings down
And All That Jazz.
Start the car
I know a whoopee spot
Where the gin is cold
but the piano’s hot
It’s just a noisy hall
Where there’s a nightly brawl
And All
That
Jazz!

The show started at 8pm and we arrived a little earlier. With a glass of bubbly-delight I waited for the show to start.Finally it was time to take our seats. The curtain was drawn and the lights dimmed. Suddenly a woman appeared:

Welcome. Ladies and Gentlemen, you are about to see a story of
murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery,
and treachery – all those things we all hold near and dear to
our hearts. Thank you.

I was hardly breathing as Act one unfolded in front of my eyes. It was dramatic, funny, heartbreaking, blood curdling,sexy…it was drama on stage!

Roxie & Velma:
Best friend
Many’s the guy
Who told me he cares
But they were scratchin’ my back
‘Cause I was scratchin’ theirs

The curtains dropped and Roxie and Velma disappeared. I was reluctant to get out of my seat. I wanted to see more. I thought to myself that another bubbly might not be a bad idea..unfortunately there was nothing. Back to my seat for the second act then!

Velma:
Hello suckers, welcome back. Roxie’s in there being looked
over by the State Medical Examiner. She says she’s gonna
have a baby. Now why didn’t I think of that?

It didn´t take much to dazzle me! I was bedazzled, mesmerized, I loved theatre! I wanted to be here every night and watch production after production. This is showbiz, this is what Broadway and West End are made off. They mesmerise the audience  and make us beg for more.

Give ’em the old razzle dazzle
Razzle dazzle ’em
Give ’em act with lots of flash in it
And the reaction will be passionate
Give ’em the old hocus pocus
Bread and feather ’em
How can they see with sequins in their eyes?

It was time for the finale. I felt sad but I knew they would be here again tomorrow night and the night thereafter and the night thereafter.I will always remember my night at the Adelphi Theatre watching the musical Chicago!

Velma and Roxie:
God bless you.
Thank you and God bless you… Chorus:
God be with you. No,
God walk with you always. I’m no one’s wife
God bless you. But, oh,
God bless you. I love my life…

Velma, Roxie et al.:
And all that jazz

Date Visited: 29 March 2004
Where: London,UK

Pia Douwes as Velma

A special thanks to http://web.archive.org for the script.