Chicago - U.K. Tour

Gemma Collins didn't cast herself. Blame the casting directors. If you are offered a lot of money to do something of course you are going to take it.

She said in an interview in November she would love to do this role. Someone from the show must have read that and made the call



I am almost tempted to book due to curiosity but I know she most likely won't be on and I will regret booking this tired old show anyway... they need something to get people in. Let's be honest. The same old tired tours doing the rounds doesn't get the bums on seats.

Truly bonkers! What next? Katie Price as Norma Desmond?

To be fair to Gemma, the equally unsuitable and untalented Kelly Osbourne played the role in the west end.

Chicago is a truly great show. I'm sad to see what it has become over the years.

Kelly Osborne was always my go to name for an example of dodgy stunt casting. She couldn't sing for toffee, and while she had a reputation for being a wild child, I reckon she'd have turned up to rehearsals just about on time.

I've done my best to avoid Gemma, but there was that year she got to go on Dancing on Ice. She turned up late to rehearsals, and not just her own practice sessions, but the ones for group numbers. Then she argued if she got (deserved) negative feedback.

I listened to one of those clips, and she has the making of an OK singing voice. Probably better than Kelly, but it's the other stuff that concerns me. I'm old enough to realise that a lot of that is part of an image, and all about generating tabloid headlines, but I still reckon she would struggle with being a team player, which could cause problems down the line.

I'm generally open minded about casting people who don't come from traditional theatre school backgrounds if it's the right role and they have some relevant experience and attitude, such as pop stars with a decent voice doing Joseph, or someone who joined a soap when they were still a teenager. But there's a world of difference between demanding specific training and experience and expecting basic skills and some relevant experience.

Gaby Roslin... just ...😂🤷🏻‍♀️
What I wouldn’t give to see
Chita, Rita, Patti, Bernadette, Julia McKenzie, Angela Lansbury, Dench, any of the ‘broads’ from Follies...anyone...else.

Now that would be STAR casting.

I’m dreaming I know.
But just IMAGINE
Can’t we have a legit ‘name’ ?
Just once 🙏🏼

Imagine. You start off on theatre, taking any role going. This goes on for years, gradually working your way up, plying your trade night after night, honing your skills and voice. You finally get a chance to audition for Chicago. You then find out that the person considered better and more talented than you is... Gemma Collins.

From the musical director:

Given how genuinely awful Gemma Collins is to people in most circumstances, I just can't get behind the Be Kind message in this instance. You reap what you sow.

Why is “Be Kind” being weaponised whenever anyone dares to be critical and/or shady?

There’s nothing unkind about criticising a casting decision. Being kind doesn’t mean spewing rainbows and never casting a critical eye over anything.

Indeed, given the experience poor Sarah Harding described in her book about the ordeal she went through with “Ghost: The Musical”, perhaps it would have been kinder to not cast someone so resolutely unqualified as Gemma Collins in this role. Just a thought.

So I guess we always knew but it’s now there, confirmed
in black and white - social media followers/ ticket sales over talent.
I know it is show BUSINESS
But at what price to the integrity of the piece and paying customers.
Someone needs to put the brakes on.