RAZZLE-dazzle arrived in Torquay this week. The Princess Theatre stage has been transformed into the seedy underworld of 1920s prohibition and jazz fuelled Chicago.

In a two-hour show I was transfixed on the antics of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, both inmates of Cook County jail, run by the formidable warden Mama Morton.

The pair are based on real life murderers of the time, during which a reporter named Maurine Watkins was assigned to cover the trials of numerous women.

In front of an all male jury these women were often cleared of killing husbands and lovers by flashing their pretty smiles and shiny shoes, and with the help of opportunistic lawyers such as Billy Flynn in the show.

Maurine found their tales so fascinating she wrote a play about them, which was later transformed into this musical by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. It’s now become the second longest running show in Broadway history, and the longest running American musical in the West End.

It was my first time at Chicago and it was amazing. A simple stage setting focused the attention on the perfectly choreographed dance performances. And I’ve never seen a conductor enjoy a show as much as this one, jumping around and leading his merry ten-piece jazz band through fantastic tunes and improvisations. The plot may have been dark but everyone on stage was out to have fun and it was infectious.

The cast, including a smattering of TV celebrities and soap stars, was a real class act, with strong voices and bodies.

The dancing is at times mesmerising and absolutely no one misses a beat or step.

X Factor winner Sam Bailey proved she could act as well as sing in her role as Mama Morton. EastEnder John Partridge was sleek and cool as Billy Flynn, although I have to say his American accent didn’t always sit right with me.

It was the two leading ladies, and their chemistry, who stole the show for me. I was in awe at times by Sophie Carmen-Jones as Velma Kelly, whose energy, not to mention high kicks, was exemplary. And Hayley Tamaddon as Roxie Hart was cute as a button.

This is a very slick and professional show by some amazingly talented people. I would recommend a visit to this version of Chicago any night.

Chicago is at the Princess Theatre until tomorrow.