NEWS - CASTING UPDATE: CHICAGO UK & IRELAND TOUR WELCOMES NEW STARS

Dancers in black outfits and hats pose on chairs against a white background. Large red text "CHICAGO" above. Mood is bold and dramatic.

The multi-award-winning musical CHICAGO is set to dazzle audiences across the UK and Ireland with an exciting new cast announcement. The production, presented by David Ian for Crossroads Live in association with Barry and Fran Weissler, will see West End leading man Dan Burton and West End and TV star Darren Day sharing the role of the charismatic lawyer Billy Flynn. Additionally, international recording artist and pop sensation Sinitta will take on the powerhouse role of Mama Morton.

CHICAGO at The Lowry, Salford

For the upcoming Salford performances, Darren Day will star as Billy Flynn alongside Brenda Edwards, who will continue to deliver her stellar performance as Mama Morton. The show will run from Monday 25 to Saturday 30 August 2025, bringing the glamour, intrigue, and scandal of 1920s Chicago to The Lowry Theatre.

Black and white image of a woman passionately singing, framed by a red circle. Text below reads "Brenda Edwards as Mama Morton, Chicago."

Man in a tuxedo with a flower, framed in red circle. Text: "Darren Day as Billy Flynn, Chicago". Monochrome with red accents.

A Star-Studded Line-Up

The role of Roxie Hart will be played by former Strictly Come Dancing professional and TV presenter Janette Manrara, who is set to bring her signature grace and flair to the stage. She joins West End leading lady Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly, Joshua Lloyd as Amos Hart, and Jordan Lee Davies as Mary Sunshine.

The cast is further enriched by the talents of Bethany Adamson, Victoria Anderson, Josh Crowther, Joe Dale, Jessica Keable, Robin Kent, Annabelle Laing, Jacob McLay Reid, Jonathan Milto Olney, Oliver Ramsdale, Elly Shaw, Lucy Ann Stacey, Matthew Sweet, and Ria Tanaka.

Meet the Cast

Darren Day brings extensive experience to the role of Billy Flynn, having previously played the character in the 2021 UK and Ireland and Dubai tour of CHICAGO. His impressive West End credits include lead roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Grease, and Copacabana. On television, he has appeared in Hollyoaks, Doctors, and Stella, along with competing on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! and Celebrity Big Brother.

Brenda Edwards, best known for her success on The X Factor, has carved out a remarkable stage career, previously portraying Mama Morton in the West End and on tour. Her credits also include standout performances in Hairspray, We Will Rock You, and Carousel. She is a regular panellist on Loose Women and a presenter on Songs of Praise.

Janette Manrara, a fan favourite from Strictly Come Dancing, has an impressive theatrical background with roles in Burn the Floor, Remembering Fred, and Remembering the Movies. She also co-hosted Strictly: It Takes Two and the Strictly Live tour.

The Legacy of CHICAGO

Set in the glamorous yet scandalous world of 1920s Chicago, the musical follows Roxie Hart, a nightclub dancer who finds herself at the centre of a sensational murder trial. With the help of smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn, Roxie manipulates the media and public opinion to turn her crime into a spectacle. The show’s electrifying score features unforgettable hits like “All That Jazz”, “Cell Block Tango”, and “Razzle Dazzle”.

Since its Broadway revival in 1996, CHICAGO has captivated audiences in 38 countries, grossing over $1.7 billion and amassing over 35,000 performances. It remains the longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history, continuing to captivate new generations of theatre lovers.