Pump House CYT presents

Chicago (teen edition)

at Pump House Theatre Watford

Music by.   Lyrics by Book by JOHN KANDER FRED EBB FRED EBB & BOB FOSSE Based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins Script adaptation by David Thompson Music editing by Paul McKibbins

Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of night club singer Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, a housewife who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer, Billy Flynn, to transform her deed into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.  Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse. With 6 Tony Awards, 2 Olivier Awards, a Grammy® and thousands of standing ovations across the world, we hope you enjoy our version of the show. We are performing the Teen version of this show which has some minor changes to the original including removal of adult language, 2 songs "Class" and "A Bit of Good" and transposed keys to better accommodate teen voices.

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Creative team

Director: Lee Farman

Musical Director: Jono Pamplin & Lee Farman

Choreography: Kelly Hardwidge, Abbe Waghorn

Lighting design and operation: Gabriel Pugh

Sound design and operation: Jack Loison

Specialist lighting and sound consultant and support: Jason Brameld supported by Phil McCusker

Stage Manager: Chris Swallow

ASM: Esther Hagger-Holt

DSM: Evie Harrison

Stage and lighting Crew: Pump House CYT Technical Youth

Set concept: Lee Farman & CYT Technical Youth

Set design: Chris & Fran Swallow

Set Construction: Pump House CYT Technical Youth.

Special set Items: Jason Brameld

Set construction, Stage crew, Follow spot and additional painting
by the Pump House CYT Technical Youth, led by Chris Swallow

Pump House CYT Technical Youth are:

Lead By  Chris Swallow assisted by Jason Brameld and Phil McCusker

Esther Hagger-Holt, Evie Harrison, Gabriel Pugh, Jack Mortlock,

Hannah Steed, Thomas Steed, Eliza Pesel, Jack Loison

Tech Youth Alumni support from: Joe Pilny, James Cooper, Ben Mulcahy

Set Painters: Fran Swallow (lead), Kate Kinsella, Mark Davidson,
Vicki Pettifer, Kate Silverton, Alice Ridout, Alex Underwood

Props: Martin Wheeler

Costume team: Nini Thorpe, Judy Parker, Katherine Davidson,
Vicki Pettifer, Tree Hall, Amelia Davidson

Special thanks Rickmansworth Players, Watersmeet Theatre, Ben Terry

Photography: Cat Humphries

Publicity: Rosie Spearpoint-Stoll

Programme: Lee Farman

Box Office: Catherine Farman, Jon & Sue Sadie
FOH rota Martin Wheeler

Meet the Company

Lucy Pettifer

Roxie Hart

Hi I’m Lucy! I have been at Pumphouse for eight years but sadly Chicago will be my final show with the Children and Youth theatre. During my time I have also performed in Legally Blonde, Sister Act, and Pippin and loved every minute. I am so excited to play the role of Roxie! Enjoy the show!!

Ivy Kinsella

Roxie Hart

Hiya i’m Ivy and I am totally thrilled and a little gobsmacked to be playing ‘Roxie’ in Chicago here at the Pump House. It’s a completely different role to any that I have had before, so it’s been quite the journey. With a passion for theatre and a love for performing, I am really excited and a little nervous about playing this challenging role. I am so grateful for the incredible support i’ve had from my fellow cast members and from all of the crew, who have made this experience even more enjoyable. I hope to bring Roxie to life with energy and flair, and a little bit of Razzle Dazzle! I can't wait for you to see the show, hope you enjoy it!

Isabella Ghai

Velma Kelly

I am delighted to be playing the role of Velma Kelly in my final show with the Pump House CYT. After joining at 8 years old I’ve had the amazing opportunity to perform in many shows. Theatre Creds include: Bugsy Malone playing Shady The Wiz playing Evillene (Wicked Witch of the West) Honk Jr playing Dot Annie Jr playing Star to Be Little Mermaid Jr playing Arista Seussical playing Cat In The Hat Matilda Jr playing Mrs Wormwood Legally Blonde playing Kate Pippin playing Fastrada Sister Act playing Deloris Van Cartier After completing my A Levels, I am going to begin my higher education training in Musical Theatre Performance, where I am delighted to have been offered a place to train at Italia Conti.

Amaya Ash Lopez De La Nieta

Velma Kelly

Hi my name is Amaya and this is my first show at PumpHouse and I’m so excited to be here! It’s been such an amazing experience getting to know the cast and crew and I’m really looking forward to performing as Velma as it is one of my dream roles! Thank you to all the people who have put this amazing production together, I hope you enjoy the show!!

Hugo Williams

Amos Hart

I'm glad to be back on stage and to have such a great character

Liam Bishop-Gregs

Billy Flynn

It's really exciting to be a part of another Pump House show! Chicago is one of my favourite shows so getting the chance to play the role of Billy Flynn is extremely fun. I can't wait to do the show!

Mary Robertson

Matron Mama Morton

I’ve been at Pump House for 6 years now and Chicago has been an amazing experience! We have put a lot of effort into making this show as amazing as it is, we hope you enjoy it!

Jessica Rechitean

Matron Mama Morton

Some shows I’ve been in before: Addams family (Gomez), Grease (Jan), Little shop of horrors (Orin), Oliver (Widow Corney) I’ve absolutely loved doing Chicago, I went into it not knowing the entire plot, only recognising a few of the hit songs. It has been such an incredible experience!! My favourite part of the whole journey was definitely seeing the stage the first time, I was absolutely amazed!!

Scarlett Bartlett

Katalin Hunyak

I absolutely love doing Chicago. The cast are so incredibly talented and it is an honour to be a part of something so great.

Evie Blake

Katalin Hunyak

Chicago is my last show at Pump House after 9 years and lve had so much fun being apart of loads of different shows from Sister Act to Pippin all of which have had amazing casts. I'm going to miss everyone loads but have enjoyed this experience so much and have met so many great people over the years!

Indie Hall

Mona

I've had so much fun working on Chicago! Thank you so much to all the cast who have made this experience absolutely wonderful and to everyone working behind the scenes who have made this performance possible!

Hope Phillips-Rhodes

Mona

This is going to be my last show at pump house after attending for 6 years. It has been so much fun and the cast is just amazing.

Amelia Davidson

June

I’m really excited to be a part of this amazing show! I’ve had so much fun preparing for it and hope everyone else enjoys it as much as I have!

Lucy Davidson

Liz

This is my first year in the young adults after 6 years in the younger groups, and I have had the best time during rehearsals for Chicago, so I hope you all enjoy the show!

Evelyn Silverton

Liz

Doing this show has been so fun, can’t wait for the next one!

Belle Parker

Master of Ceremonies

This is my 10th year at pumphouse and ive made the best memories here. Throughout my time i have met such talented and fun people and made life long friends. Chicago has been one of my favourite shows to be part of and i absolutely adore my role. Thank you to everyone who has made this show special. 5,6,7,8!

River Thorpe-Daley

Kitty/Harrison/Ensemble

This is my first show with the Pumphouse CYT, and so far the cast & crew have been incredibly welcoming and friendly and I look forward to continuing to perform with them.

Sonny Peters

Foggarty/Judge/Ensemble

This is my second show with the young adults group, although being at pump house for 6 years. I am really excited to perform in such a fun show alongside a really strong ensemble and very talented people

Ren Hurry

Mary Sunshine / The Reporter

Im Ren !!! This will be my first time on a proper stage infront of an audience and im REALLY excited to perform alongside the wonderful people at pumphouse !!! :)

Emily Goddard

Mary Sunshine / The Reporter

Hayden Kemp

Fred Casely/Doctor/ensemble

So happy to be here again!! pump house has been such a great experience and has taught me so much that nothing else could have. I'm so thankful to be able to do this show with the most talented group of people I've ever been a part of.

Skylar Tridgell-Roberts

Harry/Third Reporter/ensemble

Ria Linares

Secretary/ensemble

It's my first show with Pump House and I had a great time!

Ciaran Kenny

Officer/ensemble

James Copsey

Juror One/ensmble

Kelly Hardwidge

Choreography

It’s a pleasure to be able to return to the Pump House again and work with the Youth Theatre again. Thought I’d give a little history on why I love dancing. I started when I was just 3 years old and at 16 I gained a place at Arts Educational School in London. Then travelled around including Italy and Japan on professional dance contracts. Whilst bringing up my three children I taught tap, ballet, jazz, drama and contemporary to all ages at a dance school until I badly broke a leg quite literally. So I came away from dancing for a while and worked with Special Needs Children, specialising in deaf students as I am a qualified communicator. So I feel I am now dancing with my hands! I hope you enjoy this iconic show with a mix of original moves from Fosse and my own creations. Dazzle Dazzle them everyone!

Abbe Waghorn

Choreography

I did the Musical Theatre Course at GSA and worked in the industry for a decade. The amazing Chicago was a show I never got to do, so I’m loving living vicariously through our wonderful cast of young adults! It’s been such a pleasure working with them and with Kelly Hardwidge (and Lee) again, having teamed up last year for Sister Act.

Lee Farman

Director/Musical Director

It is a privilege to work with this talented cast and team and a pleasure bringing this classic musical to the Pump House stage, which is in many ways just as relevant today as it was in its opening in 1975. I studied music and computing in Oxford and went on to perform (on stage and in pit bands), musically direct, direct and produce over 150 shows over the last 40 years. Having completed a career in IT I now focus on my roles as artistic director for the Pump House CYT, Chair of the Pump House Trust, director of The Theatre Channel and a producer.

Jono Pamplin

Musical director

Photos

Coming soon...

Past Pump House CYT shows

Honorary Life Members of the Pump House CYT

Karen Arnott, Adrian Barrett, Katie Barrett, Jeanette Behn, Hannah Billington, Sue Billington, Jason Brameld, Moya Brewer, Niamh Brewer, Julie Elvin, David Fargus, Catherine Farman, Lee Farman, Elisabeth Gunter, Ursula Hodgkinson, Nizar Kanji, Michael Horniman, Sue Mascall, Sue McCall, Helen Pajak, Karen Rhodes, Jon Sadie, Sue Sadie, Robin Scarborough, Martin Smith, Lucy Stevens, Chris Swallow, Fran Swallow, Abbe Waghorn, Martin Wheeler, Ian Woolcott

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