Chicago, Palace Theatre, Manchester. Runs until March 1

UNLESS you have been on another planet for the past few months then you can be in no doubt as to what the 'must see' film of the moment is.

If you haven't seen 'that film' starring the ubiquitous Catherine Zeta Jones, Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere yet, then you must see this brilliant show instead.

Chicago is the tale of two equally ambitious women who, we find out through a series of sexy and sassy songs, are in prison for murder.

From the first few bars of the opening number the pace is fast and furious - and it never lets up.

Lisa Donnell is superb as the husband killer Velma Kelly. She and the other members of the young and energetic cast really got the show off to a rip-roaring start with 'All That Jazz', but it was when she sang 'I Can't Do It Alone' that she showed the audience how versatile she really was with her solo song and high-kicking dance routine.

The demanding lead role of Roxie Hart was excellently played by Emma Clifford.

But it was half way through the first half that some members of the audience started screaming and cheering when ex-Wet Wet Wet lead singer Marti Pellow made his appearance as the slimy, self-centered, lawyer Billy Flynn who the girls ask to help them get out of jail. He could teach the Labour spin doctors a trick or two.

He is most definitely easy on the eye and most certainly easy to listen to when he sings his numbers and dressed in black evening suit complete with white rose I thought he looked a perfect candidate to step into James Bond's shoes when Pearce Brosnan eventually steps down.

Through a series of high-energy songs, including the brilliant 'Cell Block Tango' to 'Razzle Dazzle' we discover how the conniving Flynn finally gets Roxie acquitted of her murder charge.

The final sequence of Roxie and Velma strutting their stuff had the audience shouting for more.

Personally, I prefer the stage production to the celluloid version and if you haven't seen it on stage yet do yourself a big favour and pop along to the Palace. Marti is a double bonus!

Now where's my old Wet Wet Wet CD?

Linda Hurst