Almost half a decade since its Broadway debut, Chicago the Musical still never fails to impress audiences night after night.

Now at it’s third stop of the UK tour it was good to see each of the 956 seats at Orchard Theatre in Dartford was filled for the Monday evening performance.

Based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, the story follows 1920s nightclub singer Roxie, played by former Coronation Street actress and Dancing on Ice champion Hayley Tamaddon, fight to beat death row with the help of smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn, played by EastEnders star John Partridge.

As the performance begun it was great to see a live orchestra playing all of the 21 hits, including All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango and Razzle Dazzle.

The opening scene followed tradition and showed racy Velma Kelly, played by West End performer Sophie Carmen-Jones, performing All That Jazz alongside a strong ensemble.

There are no doubt some standout performances, including John Partridge, who despite only leaving the Big Brother house a few months ago, delivered a faultless and well-rehearsed performance in a role that suited him well.

There were also certain members of the ensemble who caught my eye. Francis Foreman makes a brash Fred Casely with a very strong court room scene with Roxie.

Sam Bailey plays a very butch, but likeable Matron Mama Morton. Having been a prison guard before her X Factor victory, she has first-hand experience of life on the inside, but this role was almost made for her.

Her super-strong voice is another thing that cannot be missed, but I would have liked to have heard more of it.

Despite musical director Ben Atkinson’s enthusiasm and humour, I felt the musicians weren’t given a chance to add anything new to the well-known score.

However, this shouldn’t take away from the incredible performance, they really did raise the roof and were the icing on the cake for this production.

Overall this was a great show with some stand-out, unforgettable performances and I’d definitely recommend trying to catch a performance as the tour makes its way around the country.

Chicago The Musical runs at Orchard Theatre until Saturday, March 5. It returns to The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury in October.

For full listings see the UK tour website.