Friday, 29 August 2025
Chicago the Musical UK Tour Review- A Stylish Revival That Could Use a Refresh
Chicago (Tour)
New Victoria Theatre
Chicago the Musical has been dazzling audiences for decades, whether in the West End, on Broadway, or touring across the UK. With its sultry jazz score, iconic choreography by Bob Fosse, and razor-sharp satire on fame and corruption, it remains one of the most recognisable and beloved musicals in theatre history. But while the current UK tour delivers plenty of strong performances and polished staging, it also feels like a production in need of a little reinvention.
The cast is undoubtedly the show’s strongest asset. Janette Manrara, best known from Strictly Come Dancing, brings a sparkly energy to Roxie Hart. She dances with precision and charisma, and her playful stage presence makes Roxie’s rise to fame feel believable. Opposite her, Djalenga Scott gives a powerful, magnetic turn as Velma Kelly, oozing confidence in every number. Their chemistry makes “Nowadays” and “Hot Honey Rag” a real highlight of the evening.
Joshua Lloyd is excellent as Amos Hart, delivering a heartfelt “Mr. Cellophane” that drew genuine warmth and sympathy from the audience. Meanwhile, Jordan Lee Davies makes a memorable Mary Sunshine, balancing comedy with soaring vocals. Together, this principal cast keeps the familiar story moving with energy and style.
The ensemble deserves particular praise. Chicago is a show that lives or dies on its ensemble work, and here the dancers shine. The choreography, all sharp angles, slick jazz hands, and sultry lines, is executed with impressive precision. Numbers like “Cell Block Tango” and “All That Jazz” still have that punch-you-in-the-gut impact that makes Chicago what it is.
But here’s the sticking point: this is very much the same Chicago audiences have seen for years. The minimalist staging, the all-black costumes, the iconic chair choreography- it all works, of course, but it hasn’t really evolved. For longtime fans, it’s like slipping into a familiar pair of shoes. For newcomers, it’s stylish and sharp. But in 2025, with so much happening in the world of celebrity, media, and corruption, the show’s themes feel ripe for a fresh take. Imagine a Chicago updated with modern parallels to social media culture, influencer scandals, or the obsession with instant fame, it could bring a whole new edge to a story that’s already so relevant.
That said, there’s no denying the production still delivers the iconic moments we know and love. The band on stage is brilliant, giving that brassy, bold sound that drives the show. The stripped-back staging also keeps the focus firmly on the performers, which works well for a show that thrives on attitude and precision.
Overall, this UK tour of Chicago is enjoyable, polished, and packed with strong performances. It’s faithful to the original vision, which is both its greatest strength and its biggest weakness. Fans of the musical will leave satisfied, but for those who’ve seen it before, it might feel a little too familiar. Perhaps it’s time for Chicago to take a daring step into something fresher, while still honouring the timeless brilliance of Fosse’s original.
★★★
Reviewed on 28th July 2025 by Olivia
Photo Credit: Paul Coltas
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Keywords: Chicago the Musical UK Tour review, Janette Manrara Roxie Hart, Djalenga Scott Velma Kelly, Joshua Lloyd Amos Hart, Jordan Lee Davies Mary Sunshine, Chicago musical cast 2025, UK touring musicals review, Chicago the Musical choreography.
Saturday, 23 August 2025
Evita at the London Palladium: Rachel Zegler Soars in Jamie Lloyd's Bold, Electrifying Revival
Evita
London Palladium
Sometimes you sit in a theatre and know you are witnessing something truly historic. That’s exactly how it felt watching Jamie Lloyd’s new production of Evita at the London Palladium. This isn’t just another revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s political rock opera, it’s a seismic moment in musical theatre, led by a cast who feel destined for greatness.
At the centre of it all is Rachel Zegler, who delivers a performance so thrilling, it’s hard to believe this is her London stage debut. I’ve followed Rachel’s journey since 2017, from YouTube covers to West Side Story, and to see her now, utterly at home on the Palladium stage, is nothing short of awe-inspiring. She looks and sounds like she was born for this exact role at this exact moment in theatrical history. Her Eva Perón is fierce, vulnerable, ambitious, and magnetic; and every note of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” soared as though it were written for her. We are watching the rise of a star, and how lucky we are to be along for the journey.
Alongside her, Diego Andrés Rodriguez is astonishing as Che. Wry, commanding, and vocally electric, he narrates Eva’s rise and fall with biting precision. At times sardonic, at times full of fire, his performance anchors the show with clarity and bite. Rodriguez is a talent I need to see as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar one day, his presence and vocals would be unforgettable. James Olivas also gives an excellent turn as Juan Perón, balancing political ambition with quiet tenderness. The chemistry between Zegler, Rodriguez, and Olivas is magnetic, their trio of performances form the show’s beating heart.
Musically, Evita remains as bold as ever. First staged in 1978, Lloyd Webber and Rice’s rock-opera score brings Eva Perón’s rise to power and enduring legacy to life with urgency and flair. From the bombastic “A New Argentina” to the delicate “Another Suitcase in Another Hall,” the music is at once energetic and informative, serving as both history lesson and thrilling theatre. What makes Jamie Lloyd’s revival so fascinating is its refusal to spoon-feed. The production embraces ambiguity, encouraging the audience to interpret rather than simply receive. For newcomers to the show, this approach might feel a little confusing at times, but for me it was exhilarating. It felt intelligent, trusting the audience to piece together the threads for themselves.
Visually and technically, the production is equally impressive. Jon Clark’s lighting is stark and expressive, shaping scenes with atmosphere and tension. Fabian Aloise’s choreography is muscular, dynamic, and precise. The ensemble moves like a single organism, their synchronicity so tight it’s genuinely breathtaking. Every gesture feels purposeful, from the smallest flick of a wrist to the explosive full-company numbers. The ensemble themselves are powerhouse performers, bringing passion and intensity to every scene. Their strength and unity echo the fervour of Eva’s Argentina, adding another layer of urgency to the storytelling.
Equally vital is Adam Fisher’s sound design, which balances the soaring vocals and Lloyd Webber’s powerful score beautifully. In a theatre as grand as the Palladium, clarity can sometimes be an issue, but here every lyric, every guitar riff, every heartbeat of percussion landed perfectly.
For those unfamiliar with Evita, the show traces the life of Eva Perón, Argentina’s First Lady from 1946 until her death in 1952. Born into poverty, Eva clawed her way into the limelight, first as an actress and then as wife of President Juan Perón, becoming a powerful, controversial figure adored by the working classes and reviled by the elite. Lloyd Webber and Rice’s score examines her legacy with both admiration and critique, embodied in the narrator Che’s cynical commentary. It’s part biography, part cautionary tale, part celebration and in Lloyd’s hands, it feels fiercely relevant once again.
This Evita is not just a revival; it’s a reinvention. Jamie Lloyd has stripped away the excess and laid bare the story, allowing the music, the cast, and the raw energy of the ensemble to speak for themselves. The result is electrifying- a production that feels both timeless and urgently modern.
Walking out of the Palladium, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had just witnessed a career-defining moment for Rachel Zegler and a bold new chapter for Evita. It is an intelligent, gripping, and emotional triumph. Simply put, this is theatre at its most alive.
★★★★★
Reviewed on Tuesday 22nd July 2025 by Olivia
Photo Credit: Marc Brenner
Keywords: Evita London Palladium review, Jamie Lloyd Evita review, Rachel Zegler Evita London, Diego Andrés Rodriguez Che Evita, James Olivas Juan Perón Evita, Fabian Aloise choreography Evita, Jon Clark lighting design Evita, Adam Fisher sound design Evita, Evita 2025 revival London.
Monday, 7 July 2025
Sabrina Carpenter at BST Hyde Park Night Two: Pure Pop Joy and Five-Star Fun
Sabrina Carpenter
BST Hyde Park
Sometimes a concert doesn’t just entertain you, it transports you. That’s exactly how it felt watching Sabrina Carpenter at BST Hyde Park (night two). In the best possible way, I was thrown back to a Year 6 disco: glittering pop anthems, dancing with friends, and that carefree joy of singing along at the top of your lungs. It was nostalgic, youthful, and utterly irresistible.; especially after a characteristic British summer thunderstorm tried to thwart and dampen the day!
Sabrina Carpenter has blossomed into a world-class entertainer, and this show proved it beyond doubt. Her vocals were pitch-perfect, her stage presence magnetic, and her ability to connect with the crowd effortless. She knows how to make a massive outdoor stage feel intimate, talking to fans with warmth and humour between songs, before flipping seamlessly back into high-energy performance mode.
The production itself deserves a shoutout. Beyond the slick staging, lights, and choreography, the clever skit videos threaded throughout the night gave the concert a unique theatrical flair. They were playful, funny, and made the whole experience feel more immersive, almost like we were stepping into Sabrina’s glittering pop universe.
What struck me most, though, was the vibe of the whole evening. Hyde Park was buzzing with positive energy, with fans of all ages singing along to songs like "Espresso" and "Feather". There was a real sense of community joy, the kind that only happens when thousands of people come together to share in music that makes them feel good.
By the end of the night, it was clear why Sabrina Carpenter has quickly risen to become one of pop’s most exciting stars. She delivered a show that was polished, heartfelt, and brimming with personality. A five-foot-five-star performance!
★★★★★
Reviewed on Sunday 6th July by Olivia
Photo Credit: Jordan Hughes
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
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Saturday, 5 July 2025
Finneas at BST Hyde Park: Intimate, Effortless, and Full of Heart | Review
Finneas & The Favors
BST Hyde Park
On a festival bill filled with big production and spectacle, Finneas at BST Hyde Park stood out for his quiet confidence and stripped-back artistry. His set was a reminder that sometimes all you need is a guitar, a piano, and a voice to hold a massive crowd in the palm of your hand.
The setlist was a thoughtful mix of songs from his solo work and tracks he’s best known for co-writing. Highlights included "For Cryin' Out Loud" and "The Kids Are All Dying", which showcased his sharp, reflective lyricism, and "Break My Heart Again", performed with aching vulnerability. He also sprinkled in fan favourites like "Till Forever Falls Apart" and "I Lost a Friend", each delivered with a natural ease that made it feel like we were watching a friend play songs for us in his living room, albeit on one of the biggest stages in London.
One of the evening’s most special moments came when Ashe joined him on stage to debut their brand-new collaboration The Favours. The chemistry between the two was effortless, and the crowd knew instantly they were witnessing something unique. It was the kind of surprise that turns a good set into a truly memorable one.
What makes Finneas so compelling as a performer is how relaxed and natural he is on stage. He doesn’t try to overwhelm with spectacle; instead, he wins you over with warmth, wit, and honesty. His vocals were rich and expressive, while his musicianship, moving seamlessly between guitar and piano, gave the set a layered texture without ever feeling overproduced.
In a festival setting where bigger often feels better, Finneas proved that intimacy can be just as powerful. His Hyde Park performance was understated brilliance, a reminder of why he’s not just a Grammy-winning producer and Billie Eilish’s collaborator, but a formidable artist in his own right.
★★★★★
Reviewed on Friday 4th July 2025 by Olivia
Photo Credit: Virginie Viche
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Keywords: Finneas BST Hyde Park review, Finneas live London 2025, Finneas concert setlist 2025, Finneas Ashe The Favours debut, Finneas Break My Heart Again Hyde Park, Finneas UK live review.
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