Theatre Company

Chicago tells the story of Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart; beautiful, seductive, talented and both murderers. The musical was inspired by the Maurine Dallas Watkins play. Watkins was a journalist during the 1920s and covered several very high profile court cases in Chicago. This provided her with a focus for her play as she depicted the dramas of Belva Gaertner, who became Velma Kelly, and Beulah Annan, who became Roxie Hart, famous murderesses that shocked America. Velma Kelly was a well known performer while Roxie Hart aspired to become like Velma.

The two divas found themselves together in prison as they were both jailed for murder. The two women shared the slimy but genius lawyer Billy Flynn. Billy turned their trials into a media sensation and created a famous victim out of Roxie Hart but neglected Velma Kelly. This created rivalry between the two women as Velma was used to the media hanging of her every word. However, both women soon learn that they need one another as they quickly become yesterday’s news.

The award winning musical has been drawing in audiences since its first show on Broadway in 1975 and is now drawing audiences to the Cambridge Theatre where it was been successfully running since 2006.