Tale from the Jazz Age that still strikes a chord

The razzle-dazzle murder and mayhem of Chicago comes to Bristol next week with Coronation Street's Faye Brookes and Strictly's Kevin Clifton taking to the Hippodrome stage. We caught up with them for a quick-fire Q&A on the hit musical.

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KEVIN, you're returning to the stage, this time playing the role of notorious lawyer Billy Flynn. What drew you to the role, and how are you approaching the character?

KC: I think Chicago is one of the most well-known musicals in the world, so when the opportunity to be a part of it came along, I had to take it seriously. The role of Billy Flynn is iconic - I got so many texts from people when I was first announced like, “wow”. Everyone knows the character!

I always try to build a bit of a backstory to any character I'm playing, and for Billy Flynn I watched a lot of old-school gangster movies, to get that inner world of madness, but outer world of confidence going on.

I tend to usually play very physically energetic or flamboyant roles, but Billy is very much in control - he stands still, and things happen around him, as he's in charge, commanding the stage. It's a very different role for me to play. That's probably been the biggest challenge for me.

Faye, you previously played Roxie Hart to acclaim. Are you excited to revisit the role, and will you be approaching her differently this time around?

FB: I'm so unbelievably grateful to be returning to play the role Roxie Hart. I adore her. Always have. Always will. She's such an interesting character that I discover something new about her every day.

Kevin, you're much-loved for your time on Strictly Come Dancing, competing in five finals over seven series! How does your work in theatre compare to the disciplines required for the competition?

KC: I started out as a kid in the competition world, but I always loved going to the theatre, so I thought that theatre would be my destination eventually. I left the competitions in my 20s and went into theatre, and for me I much preferred it. I know I ended up on Strictly Come Dancing, which is essentially a competition, but I approached it as if I'm in the theatre - we're all a team creating a show together.