Photo Flash: First Promo Shots for Curve's CHICAGO; Performances to Begin 29 Nov

The cast of Chicago has arrived at Leicester''s Curve theatre today for the rehearsals of the hotly anticipated Christmas production and centre piece of the theatre''s 5th Birthday Season. Check out promo shots below!

Directed by Paul Kerryson, Chicago opens on 4 Dec - Curve''s Official 5th Birthday, 5 years to the day when Her Majesty opened the building - with previews from 29 Nov, and now extends its run by popular demand until 18 Jan 2014.

The hugely talented cast of musical and West End performers will be led by Verity Rushworth (Emmerdale, The Sound of Music) as Velma Kelly, Gemma Sutton (Hairspray, Oklahoma!) as Roxie Hart and David Leonard (Matilda the Musical, The Pitmen Painters) as Billy Flynn.

Throughout the run, Curve will be presenting a series of Chicago inspired pre-show workshops and free after-show Cabaret performances.

Ladies can learn to strut their stuff like Roxie, Velma and the other glamorous inmates of Cook County Jail with Bijoux Burlesque on Sat 30 Nov, 7 and 14 Dec and on Sat 4 Jan a high-energy Musical Theatre Dance Workshop will explore some of the dance routines from the show, led by a professional choreographer.

Curve''s popular Over 55s Experience Curve programme continues with a Theatre Day on Wed 11 Dec, which will look into the process of theatre-making with Curve''s Artistic team, the opportunity to meet some of the Chicago cast and crew, followed by tickets for the matinee performance. Fans of the show can enjoy a reading of the original stage play of Chicago on Sat 11 Jan.

On Friday nights the Chicago after party will continues with free post-show Burlesque Cabaret performances on Curve''s Foyer Stage on Friday 6, 13 and 20 December.

Set in 1920''s Chicago, this sleek, sexy show tells the story of scintillating sinners, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, their crimes of passion and their outrageous pursuit of fame and celebrity. But murder, adultery and corruption are no match for their manipulative, smooth talking lawyer, Billy Flynn.

Chicago is packed with wicked fun and includes some of the best song and dance numbers in musical theatre including; All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango, Nowadays and Razzle Dazzle. Originally created by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, Chicago is a magnificent Broadway and West End Classic.

Photos by: Pamela Raith Photography

Verity Rushworth and Gemma Sutton

Cast of CHICAGO

Cast of CHICAGO