Anything Goes

The classic musical “Anything Goes,” with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, set sail at the Lancaster Grand Theatre.

Set aboard the ocean liner S.S. American, “Anything Goes” follows the antics of Billy Crocker, a stowaway in love with heiress Hope Harcourt, who is engaged to the wealthy Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. With the help of nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and Public Enemy #13, Moonface Martin, Billy attempts to win Hope’s heart amidst a series of comedic misadventures.

The musical is a rollicking journey filled with mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and some of Cole Porter’s most iconic songs.

Billy Crocker was played by Luke Shaw. Luke brought charm and energy to the role of Billy - his comedic timing and vocal performance shone, particularly in numbers like “You’re the Top” and “Easy to Love.” Billy`s love interest, debutante Hope Harcourt was more than capably played by Georgina Jackson. Whilst they both sang well in their duets and solos, I did feel that their chemistry with each other could have been developed a little more - nevertheless, both peformed well.

Becca Storey almost stole the show as Reno Sweeney. Her powerful voice and commanding stage presence made her standout, especially in show-stopping numbers like “Anything Goes” and “I Get a Kick Out of You.” Her performance was both charismatic and nuanced, capturing the essence of her character perfectly. Whilst you could tell a lot of attention had been paid to Sutton Foster`s interpretation of the role, Becca made this part her own.

The supporting cast delivered really solid performances throughout, with notable mentions to Matthew Boardman as Moonface Martin and Holly Brown as Erma. Moonface’s comedic antics added a delightful touch of humor, with Holly`s brash Erma adding the finishing touch to a great piece of ensemble work.

Performance of the night for me was James Shields as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. James`s portrayal was perfect, with his usual asides, more or less breaking the fourth wall, working to his advantage in this role.

All other roles were played well, with the chorus being worked hard throughout - the energetic and well-executed choreography, particularly in the tap dance numbers left the audience gasping for breath.

The set design effectively recreated the an ocean liner, with clever use of space and scenic elements to transition between different areas of the ship, with only the occasional hiccup threatening to disrupt the pace of the production. The costumes worked well, capturing the 1930s era with a mix of glamorous gowns, sailor outfits, and stylish suits.

The choreography by Holly Brown was vibrant and energetic, bringing the big dance numbers to life. The tap sequences, in particular, were a highlight, showcasing the cast’s impressive talent and coordination.

Musical Director, Anna Scott had obviously worked hard with the chorus of seamen and principals alike-the results were all up there to see.

Suzanne Ward as Director, successfully captured the light hearted spirit of the source material, with this production delivering a delightful blend of comedy, romance, and timeless music.

Congratulations to all who set sail aboard the SS American

Thank you LADOS, for your invitation

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