CHICAGO is known as the windy city, so it was only apt that the show of the same name blew into Manchester Opera House in the wake of the weekend's gales, writes Neil Brandwood.

I'd like to say it was a production packed with gusto - if only to continue with these contrived wind-related puns - but alas I can't.

The show is one of my favourite musicals and boasts more infectious songs than most other shows, but while the production was enjoyable, it could have been so much better,

The main weakness was the "star name" Marti Pellow, who played the charming and cunning lawyer, Billy Flynn. The ladies in the audience cheered and whooped everytime Marti appeared, but the praise was not really merited. Marti had the swagger, the polish and the poise, but the problem was his voice was too soft. Many lines were inaudible from where I was sitting in Row P of the stalls and two of his three songs (All I Care About and Razzle Dazzle) lacked the necessary "oomph". However, his highly entertaining rendition of We Both Reached For The Gun was faultless.

But Chicago isn't about the male characters, it's about those notorious jailbirds, Velma (Rachel Stanley) and Roxie (Claire Taylor).The latter had a Nicole Kidman quality about her while the blonde cropped Rachel Stanley reminded me of Margi Clarke. Thats not a criticism as the contrast energised the show and gave it a pleasing feistiness. But again, I had the urge to turn the volume up.

The supporting cast certainly buoyed things along with expert choreography and relish, but for me the high point was the opening of Act 2 when the band were allowed to let rip with infectious enthusiasm.

Chicago runs until January 22.