Cuba Gooding Jr. looks cheerful after latest stage performance amid mixed reviews for Chicago

Cuba Gooding Jr. looks cheerful after latest stage performance following mixed reviews for Chicago debut

Published: 12:50 EDT, 14 April 2018 | Updated: 20:26 EDT, 14 April 2018

He recently received mixed reviews for his turn has hotshot lawyer Billy Flynn in Chicago.

But Cuba Gooding Jr, 50, looked in high spirits as he left the Phoenix Theatre in Soho, London on Friday.

The Hollywood heartthrob flashed a wide smile as he made his exit in a quilted gilet and a casual black jumper.

Bright smile: Cuba Gooding Jr, 50, looked cheerful after latest stage performance in London on Friday...amid receiving mixed reviews for Chicago debut

Clad in dark denim jeans and black boots, Cuba didn't let his mixed reviews stop his enjoyment of his current theatre run as he approached fans waiting at the barriers.

Cuba added a hint of colour with a beaded bracelet while he polished off his comfortable style with a soft Afro fade.

The Jerry Maguire star beamed as he left the stage to greet fans, kicking a touch of scruff around his chin.

Divisive: He recently received middling reviews for his turn has hotshot lawyer Billy Flynn in Chicago

Warm welcome: Clad in dark denim jeans and black boots, Cuba didn't let his mixed reviews stop his enjoyment of his current theatre run as he approached fans waiting at the barriers

Cuba's currently facing divisive reviews for his leading role in Chicago's return to the West End on Wednesday.

The Boyz n the Hood actor made his debut as lawyer Billy Flynn in the show, which has returned to London after 15 years on stage from 1997, yet his singing voice was widely-panned by critics.

While his charm in the role was lauded, his 'rasping' voice was a point of contention for many with the blanket reaction insisting he was drowned out by the orchestra in the play, which returned to the stage at London's Phoenix Theatre.

Casual style: Cuba added a hint of colour with a beaded bracelet while he polished off his comfortable style with a soft Afro fade

All That Jazz: Chicago's return to the West End was met with mixed reviews on Wednesday evening

Cuba has assumed the role played by many, including Richard Gere in the Oscar winning 2002 movie, yet he managed to put his own spin of the smooth-talking character, with London Theatre insisting he does possess 'suave pizzazz'.

He is joined on the stage by talented co-stars Sarah Soetaert and Josefina Gabrielle, who play Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly in the production, who have previously featured in former incarnations of the show and won praise from critics.

In Chicago, Flynn defends murderous women Velma and Roxie. He uses glamour and showbusiness as part of his defence, instructing one client that both she and her husband ‘reached for the gun’ (Cuba sings it; Sarah mimes it).

In another big number, he advises Velma and Roxie to give the judge and jury a touch of ‘Razzle Dazzle’, to blind them from the truth.

Give em the old Razzle Dazzle! The 50-year-old Boyz n the Hood actor made his debut in the show, which has returned to London after 15 years on stage from 1997, yet his singing voice was widely panned by critics in his role as lawyer Billy Flynn

Dapper: Cuba has assumed the role played by many, including Richard Gere in the Oscar winning 2002 movie, yet he managed to put his own spin of the smooth talking character, with London Theatre insisting he does possess 'suave pizzazz'

We did it! Cuba has assumed the role played by many, including Richard Gere in the Oscar winning 2002 movie, yet he managed to put his own spin of the smooth talking character, with London Theatre insisting he does possess 'suave pizzazz'

Although he plays a convincing character, critics were less convinced with Michael Billington for The Guardian, writing: I’m all for reviving old musicals, but this one has not been imaginatively rethought... As the self-seeking lawyer, Billy Flynn, Gooding Jr displays too much surface charm and sings modestly but hoofs energetically.'

Aside from Cuba's singing, industry site The Stage hit out at the lack of diversity in the cast and the fact that the Hollywood star was the only person of colour.

Tim Bano wrote: 'Besides Gooding, the cast is inexcusably white without even being able to make the usual piss-poor argument about ‘historical accuracy’ considering how diverse 1920s Chicago was'.

The review from the Metro however lavished praise upon the star and the new production - although his voice is again a point of contention.

The piece read: 'The default expression more mischievous than malign. He’s good, although he is a much better mover than he is a singer. His Flynn has stacks of charm but the 50-year-old gets fewer opportunities than he might like to try his hand at following Bob Fosse’s incomparable choreography.

Chicago: The reviews

The Guardian - 3/5 - 'It is beginning to resemble an animated corpse'

Rating:

- I’m all for reviving old musicals, but this one has not been imaginatively rethought... As the self-seeking lawyer, Billy Flynn, Gooding Jr displays too much surface charm and sings modestly but hoofs energetically.

London Theatre - 2/5 - 'Reviving the show doesn’t pack half the punch it would have in its first appearance on Broadway in 1975'

Rating:

- Cuba reels in the laughs as the slick lawyer, and he sure does have that suave pizzazz you need to play the part, it’s just a shame his voice doesn’t suit the songs. He has a naturally raspy voice, which is great when you’re playing a cocky lawyer, but it can be difficult to hear him as he strains to be heard.

The Stage - 2/5 - 'Pulling power comes from Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr, making his West End debut, and oh dear. It’s not great'

Rating:

- Besides Gooding, the cast is inexcusably white without even being able to make the usual piss-poor argument about ‘historical accuracy’ considering how diverse 1920s Chicago was... He can bash out a melody slowly, but beyond that he loses detail, fudges notes, and hopes that his charming smile and knowingly cheap, cheery showmanship can get him through'.

The Telegraph - 4/5 - 'Gooding is the real deal, making Flynn an anxious doodlebug who you feel could turn on a pin'

Rating:

- But can he sing and dance? Certainly Gooding can move, although he is only really given the opportunity to show off anything resembling proper athletics in We Both Reached for the Gun and he does so with a showman’s chutzpah. His vocal talents are less in evidence, however. He has a true voice – rasping and rather plaintive – but it is too often drowned out by the orchestra or contrasting unfavourably with the truly excellent ensemble.

Metro - 4/5 - 'Cuba Gooding’s on the money in Chicago'

Rating:

- His Flynn has stacks of charm but the 50-year-old gets fewer opportunities than he might like to try his hand at following Bob Fosse’s incomparable choreography. This is probably the sexiest musical ever and remains the great, smouldering show that first arrived in London in 1997.

Way back when: Richard Gere (pictured) played the smooth talking lawyer in the movie

Prior to his turn on the show, Cuba, who recently turned 50, joked that he has been doing karaoke to help get his voice in shape.

He told The Daily Mail that his initial reaction when he was offered the role was: ‘Are you kidding?!’ I literally lost my mind . . . and then I said “Yes!” This is the West End. Shakespeare and all that,’ he said.

‘I have had this interesting love affair with London and England, though I don’t know how London feels about me. So, I’m getting ready. I have a vocal coach, Eric Vetro.

Wow factor: He was joined by his talented co-stars Sarah Soetaert and Josefina Gabrielle, who play Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly in the production, the roles portrayed by Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones in the 2002 movie, respectively

Close: The cast looked as thick as thieves as they embraced post-show

Curtain call: Gooding appeared on Broadway in Trip To Bountiful, but has not done much stage work since the early days of his career, when he did amateur theatre

Flexible: The ladies showed their expert moves as they hit the stage in stunning style

Wow factor: Cuba joined producer Barry Weissler for a fun snap at the after party

Elegant: Ruthie (L) and Josefina dazzled in their black ensembles at the party

Handsome: Cuba later headed to the star-studded after-party where he changed into a pinstriped shirt and black trousers to ring in the show with his co-stars

Happy: Cuba joined his leading ladies Josefina Gabrielle, Ruthie Henshall (who plays Mama Morton) and Sarah Soetaert for a snap

‘I’ve always had a strong voice but no control, so Eric has taught me how to breathe properly. My voice goes a bit hoarse, but he and I know the work we have to accomplish.’

Gooding appeared on Broadway in Trip To Bountiful, but has not done much stage work since the early days of his career, when he did amateur theatre.

The lads: Cuba and Barry were joined by producer David Ian on the red carpet

Glittering: Cuba showed he had forged a close bond with his co-stars as they hugged

Emotional: Cuba looked overcome with emotion as a pal congratulated him

Hugging it out: Director Terry Gilliam and Cuba shared a laugh as they posed

Feeling the love: Cuba hugged his co-stars as they posed for snappers

He observed that Chicago, a musical about women who have been abused by the men in their lives, speaks to the #MeToo movement, which he supports because ‘it means we’re having a conversation’.

‘There’s a certain apprehension,’ he added, ‘because you wonder whether a friend of yours will become implicated in some way.

‘And it makes you think about your own behaviour. What was celebrated yesterday is not tolerated today.’

Cuba gave one of the most memorable Oscar acceptance speeches ever after winning an award for his role in 1996 movie Jerry Maguire, with his character’s refrain, ‘Show me the money!’, becoming part of popular culture.