Screwball comedy High Society provides a lovely slice of escapism in a troubled world
A fabulous cast including Helen George, Freddie Fox and Felicity Kendal bring the house down in this must-see musical in London and then touring
It started as a Broadway play, The Philadelphia Story, in 1939, and went on to become a hit film starring Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Grace Kelly in her final performance before marrying Prince Rainier of Monaco. In 1998, it had morphed into a stage musical, again on Broadway, and now High Society is to be found at London’s Barbican.
A screwball comedy, the action revolves around filthy rich Long Island socialite, Tracy Samantha Lord, moving on after her divorce from Dexter Haven (Julian Ovenden) and about to marry decent but dull-as-ditchwater accountant, George Kittredge (David Seadon-Young, excellent). Throw into the mix rascally reporter, Mike Connors, and his quick-witted photographer, Liz Imbrie, gate-crashers at the wedding, intent on an expose of how the other half live for Spy magazine.
Director Rachel Kavanaugh has plundered the Cole Porter songbook (with the estate’s permission) to include I Love Paris, Just One of Those Things, I’ve Got You Under My Skin and Let’s Do It to sit alongside Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and the swooningly romantic True Love from the original.
Here, Helen George, Trixie Aylward from Call the Midwife, proves her acting talents are matched by her singing and dancing prowess as Tracy Lord. Julian Ovenden as Dexter matches her every step of the way, his beautiful tenor voice a particular treat. In his first musical role, Freddie Fox plays Mike (well, did you evah?) and very good he is, too, with a fine pair of lungs and a fair match for the sublimely talented Carly Mercedes Dyer who stole every scene in Anything Goes as Robert Lindsay’s moll.
Tracy’s mother is played by Felicity Kendal (in fright wig), just weeks away from her 80th birthday and giving herself a good time with a succession of caustic putdowns. She’s also contemplating repairing her marriage to the hitherto unfaithful Seth (an underused Malcolm Sinclair).
It’s a beautifully staged production with fabulous choreography from Anthony Van Laast and a first act closing number, Now You Have Jazz, giving Nigel Lindsay’s wicked Uncle Willie the chance to bring the house down. All in all, a lovely slice of escapism from our sometimes troubled world.
Cole Porter’s High Society, Barbican Theatre, until 11 July. The UK tour runs from 16 July –14 November. For tickets, visit HighSocietyMusical.com
