CHICAGO is one of the biggest and most sensational musicals of all time graced by one showstopping song after another.

Created by the towering musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, the box office busting show has landed a clutch of awards down the years and is bursting with top tunes such as All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle.

First staged in 1975, Chicago has wowed audiences across the globe, and from Wednesday, June 21, until Saturday, June 24, the universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz, promises to do the same when the gifted young performers at The Lakes School, bring one of Broadway's best to the stage of the Troutbeck Bridge school.

Not only has the school's innovative and inspiring music teacher Adam Theobald put together a talented cast, but he's recruited The Lakes Players' dynamic director Stewart Hart to bring some of the players' panache to the production.

Stewart says that all the stops have been pulled out to create the wonderful musical from sets to costumes, dancing and singing.

The show is choreographed by Catherine Robinson, Ellie Beetham, Nicola Moorhead, Viki Buckley and Georgie Buckland.

And The Lakes Players connection doesn't stop there - special effects and lighting are courtesy of Paul Gavin of Purple Sheep London; each year Paul works his magic on LP's January spectacular.

The story is based in mid-1920s Chicago and the glitzy school production is packed full of flair and energy courtesy of a strong cast of skilled performing arts students.

Sapphire Kieft plays Velma Kelly, a vaudevillian who murdered both her husband and her sister when she found them in bed together.

Velma is eventually arrested for her crime.

Meanwhile, Roxie Hart (played by Caitlin Taylor) is picked up by police for the murder of her lover, nightclub regular Fred Casely.

Roxie's marched off to prison and comes face to face with the Tango Girls played by Ellie Beetham, Ellie Harrison, Olivia Mcghee, Anna Clough and Hannah Griffiths. The cell block is presided over by the corrupt, brassy broad, Matron 'Mama' Morton (Kendra France), whose system of mutual aid perfectly suits her clientele.

Roxie’s trial date arrives, and Billy Flynn her lawyer - played by Norland Patrick Green - calms her, telling her if she makes a show of it, she will be fine.

Other cameo roles are performed by Robert Muir as Amos, Declan Turner plays Fred and in the guise of Chicago’s hottest news reporter Mary Sunshine is Sindy Filipusko.

With Stewart at the helm of Chicago, the production promises to be an all singing, all dancing, sassy and classy thriller with a superb score and two femme fatales fighting for fame and celebrity.

Performances start at 7.30pm with a Saturday 1.30pm matinee.

Tickets are available at www.ticketsource.co.uk/chicago-thelakesschool.