All that jazz really did steal the spotlight!

By Mr Marks (Director of Drama and Dance)

This week seems very strange. The cast and crew of Chicago should feel elated to finally not have their evenings and some weekends filled with long rehearsals. They have, after all, just pulled off a wonderful run of four sold-out shows.

I know from talking to many of those involved however, that there is a large Chicago-shaped hole this week. They have worked tirelessly and with such incredible energy and enthusiasm for the last few months. Mr Page as Musical Director, Miss Bream as Choreographer, Mrs Marks as Technical Director and I could not be prouder of this remarkable cast and crew. There was student involvement at every level and in every role, whether performing, designing, making or tech-ing. The students’ support for each other was a real stand-out for me in my first term at BGS. The applause that the cast gave the technicians and the band is a measure of their recognition that it is a much wider achievement than the talent you see performing onstage. 

It was a great year to stage this particular musical as this year marks the 50th Anniversary of Chicago. With music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse, it was inspired by Maurine Dallas Watkins’ 1926 play based on real Chicago crimes. The show’s sharp satire of fame, corruption, and the justice system made it distinctive, though it initially received mixed reviews. The 1996 Broadway revival became a global phenomenon and the 2002 film adaptation won the Academy Award for Best Picture, cementing Chicago’s enduring legacy. With catchy songs and the renowned choreographic style of Bob Fosse, Chicago provided some rich storytelling opportunities for our talented young Musical Theatre stars.  

Our students revelled in creating the corrupt, exploitative and treacherous world of 1920s Chicago, where little care is given for the truth, so long as there is an exciting news story! One of the nicest responses to their performance described how well they engaged the audience in their storytelling. The way that we staged this show demanded that the girls directly addressed the audience and that they brought them into the world they were creating, immersing them in Roxie and Velma’s stories. The cast embraced this with vigour from the moment the audience arrived and were invited into a 1920s ‘Speakeasy’ to the final bows. 

I too have a large Chicago - shaped hole this week, as this group of engaging young actors, technicians, designers and musicians, not to mention my wonderful new colleagues, have made my first experience of directing a show at BGS an absolute joy! 

View the dress rehearsal photos here.