Linzi Hateley and Pia Douwes will reprise their roles as femmes fatales Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly in the Cambridge theatre’s Chicago for a strictly limited six week period from 14 September.
Chicago is the hit Fred Edd and Bob Fosse musical that tells the story of the fame hungry cabaret singer Hart, who murders her husband and finds herself incarcerated with fellow performer Kelly. Under the watchful eye of slick lawyer Billy Flynn, the pair attempt to prove their ‘innocence’ and form a nightclub act to ensure they stay in the public eye.
Hateley, who will take over the role of Hart from former Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams, is a regular on the West End stage having most recently appeared as Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia! at the Prince of Wales theatre, a role she played for two years. Her other musical credits include starring in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat alongside Jason Donovan, Grease, Les Misérables, Mrs Banks in Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward theatre and previous performances as Hart in Chicago at both the Cambridge theatre and the Adelphi theatre where the show opened in 1997.
This will be the fourth time Douwes has taken to the stage as Velma Kelly; the first came originating the role in the musical’s premiere in her home country of Holland in 1999, the second in 2004 at the Adelphi theatre and the third later that year on Broadway. Her other numerous theatre credits include Les Misérables, Grease, Sweeney Todd, Cabaret, Cats and, most recently, Sunset Boulevard, in roles that has seen her grace stages across the world from London to Russia.
Ian Kelsey, currently playing Flynn, David Ganly and Di Botcher will remain in their roles when Hateley and Douwes join the cast later this month.
Chicago, which will celebrate its 12th birthday this November, is currently booking until 30 October 2010.
CM