PUBLISHED 28 November 2022
Thursday 3rd November saw the principal cast of ‘Chicago’ take to the Winter Gardens’ stage to film the promotional video for this year’s production - (now available to watch on our social media platforms, click here to watch) .
There had been an exciting countdown to filming over a number of weeks, all of us carefully eyeing our respective mood boards, looking forwards to realising Miss Worthington’s creative vision and embodying our characters’ aesthetics. Charlie S (who will play Fred - Roxie’s slimy sidepiece), Alex C (playing Amos, her pitiful, neglected partner) and I (who will portray the silver-tongued prince of the courtroom, Billy Flynn) were all dressed in suits. I enjoyed this particularly - America in the 20s saw a huge rise in consumerism (thanks to the end of the war) which meant people were spending far more on clothes and fashion than they had in the previous decade.
For women, this period embodies the development of a more convenient and modern wardrobe, achieved through the progressive simplification of dress as the decade advanced. This simplicity created the popular tubular ‘la garçonne’ (known better as the flapper), which we see on Scarlett (playing our beguiling protagonist, Roxie) and Alex (bringing to life the aloof antagonist, Velma). Their dresses showcase an ornate decoration: beadwork, sequins, and embroidery - all of which would have been entirely typical on a vaudeville performer’s eveningwear. Liberty (playing Mama Morton - countess of the clink and mistress of murderer’s row) was dressed in a powerful ensemble, borrowing traditionally masculine elements (such as broad suspenders and a trouser/shirt combination, feminised more by the legendary [if somewhat problematic] Coco Chanel) coupled with a striking corset and period wig. Harriet (playing the sickeningly sweet Mary Sunshine) sported a wonderful bit of millinery, whose feathers and frills left us wanting nothing.
Donning our brilliantly camp ensembles, and held together by an ungodly volume of hairspray, eyelash glue and a plethora of pins and clips, we made our way to the Winter Gardens. The Winter Gardens is such an iconic building and is Art dec aesthetic was a perfect backdrop for our promo. We predominately filmed in the Opera House theatre, being granted private access to one of Europe’s largest stages was an honour. To think we walked the boards where other legends such as Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland performed further made the experience even more special to the cast.
Working with a director of photography who has worked on ‘The Crown’ made the experience feel particularly professional. Cued up on our storyboard and characterisation, it was not time to call “Action”. We began with shooting Velma and Roxie and progressed through their encounters with each character: Fred leering over Roxie, Amos’ adoring stare, Mary Sunshine’s intrigued scribbling, Mama leafing through her ill-gotten gains and Billy stealing centre stage. In creating an apt atmosphere for each interaction, we explored every corner of the iconic venue, from the absolutely terrifying cellars to the very highest floors, offices and balconies.
Here’s how the principles felt about filming:
“Working with a professional crew on one of Europe’s most important stages was a real thrill.” - Alex W (Velma)
“I loved putting on the costume, it helped me get into character - I’ll never want to take it off!” - Scarlett P (Roxie)
“It was really special to be able to bond as a cast through such a professional experience.” - Liberty D (Mama Morton)