Anything Goes

This 1930’s musical by the great Cole Porter has so many memorable songs that you can’t help but sing along to this familiar score. Add to this a glamorous cast with stunning costumes and you know you are on to a winner.

The set worked well for the stage, with a good mix of levels, stairs and balconies for the action to take place. I thought the sailors adding railings at the front of the stage was a nice touch.

The costumes for this production were every bit as beautiful and elegant as you would wish. With every costume change, and there were many, we were treated to yet another stunning dress with excellent eye to detail. The costumes for this production were utterly sublime. Hair and makeup were equally impressive.

Reno Sweeney played by Dora was terrific, with real charisma and a cracking voice. Blow Gabriel Blow really suited her vocal style and was excellently delivered. She was adorned by four very stylish Angels, played by Joni, Georgie, Eloise and Abi. They moved well as a group and added even more glamour to an already very glamorous cast.  Reno worked well with Matthew as Billy, who had an easy manner and also strong vocals. I particularly enjoyed their rendition of ‘You’re the Top.’ Reno was also well balanced by Lord Oakleigh played by Matt, who was an excellent character actor. ‘The Gypsy in me’ was very well done and Matt really threw himself into the dancing.

Becky as Hope was perfect for the part. Her beautiful soprano voice soared during ‘All through the Night’ and she had the poise of the debutant that she was playing. Hope and Billy danced well and blended nicely for their vocals.

Robert as Moonface Martin was a very likeable character although I would have liked to have seen a bit of light and shade in his performance, which was very full on all the way through. It would also have made his dialogue easier to understand if he had delivered his lines in a more measured way, but that may have been a directorial decision. The gangster’s moll, Erma, played by Daisy had a very likeable effervescent nature and her lines were delivered with good comedy timing and plenty of sass.

Eli Whitney was played with confidence by John and his comedy scenes with the missing glasses were very well done. He had a strong pairing with Evangeline, who was in obviously very safe hands with Joanne, who delivered a very classy performance.  The pair were both excellent in their roles with a strong stage presence.

Other roles were confidently filled by Harry as the Purser and Dave and Mike as Spit and Dippy.

The ensemble, also in excellent costumes, sang and moved well. The big tap number ‘Anything Goes’ at the end of Act 1 was simple but effective and they had obviously worked hard to make it a real showstopper. It would have been nice to have seen a bit more tap, perhaps from the sailors, but choreography was generally very good and well rehearsed.

The band, led by Musical Director James Finbow, kept the pace up throughout and played the wonderful Cole Porter musical with real panache.

Direction by Vicki Klein was a little busy for my liking with an action for every word sung, which seemed rather unnecessary with such a strong set of principals. It made the numbers all a bit samey, but the principals delivered all of the moves with conviction and accuracy. Every scene was well rehearsed with a good energy throughout.

All in all this was a terrific production, full of 1930’s glamour and excellent performances from this talented cast. Very well done.

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