Anything Goes

Anyone who knows me will know that I am a huge fan of the older musicals so I was delighted to be able to visit Northallerton Musical Theatre Company for their latest production, Anything Goes. Normally I would give a quick breakdown of the plot, however let’s be honest there really is very little plot to speak of and that’s kind of the charm and fun. No deep storylines to follow or get bogged down in but instead great characters with their own little subplots all getting mixed up with each other.

Director Claire Ainsworth did a fantastic job not only making the show fresh and exciting but also getting the audience involved from the start. The use of Society members dressed up as Ushers and Sailors to welcome us in combined with the movie style showreel projected throughout the overture, announcing the cast in true 1930’s black and white style gave the performance a lovely interactive and immersive feel.

Requiring a large ensemble with many big numbers the staging was simple yet really effective. A thrust extension allowed a detailed Bar scene for the opening number whilst the white washed backdrop, a raised platform and removable ship railings and great lighting pulled us onboard the Cruise Liner along with the cast. The cabin scenes were quickly transformed with the addition of well decorated freestanding blocks and simple yet effective props, this worked well without disrupting the flow or pace of the show.

The costumes were brilliantly assembled and chosen by the design team of Kim Boagey and Emma Browne. Not only were the main costumes ideal for the period but the mixture of them between the characters brought the scenes to life. The choice of outfits for Reno and her Showgirls were dazzling, I particularly loved the Red glittery theme and pieces for the Act Two Opening, Blow Gabriel Blow.

The detail in this Cole Porter classic is not only in the great numbers but in the characters and these were expertly cast with all principal and minor roles making the parts their own, adding extra sparkle and detail. Anything Goes primarily follows the exploits of Showgirl Reno Sweeney and her friend Billy Crocker who becomes a stowaway chasing after his Upper class (and engaged) love interest. Think Titanic but a lot funnier and you have got the jist!

Reno was played with a real spark and sharpness by Ruth Asquith in her grittiest role to date. The power in her voice was incredible and matched with a lovely range this role really suited her and a real change to see her tackle a role with a lot more depth. It was great to see this side of her and she certainly dominated all the scenes she was involved in matching the powerful character she was portraying. Having recently played roles such as Maria and Dorothy it was lovely to see her show extra elements to her acting and she displayed this with cheeky phsical acting and great comedic timing. Leading most of the big numbers she had control and grace whilst allowing herself to show off her fun side in her duets with Billy and Moon.

Whilst her character interacted with almost everyone in the show, her scenes with her accidental love interest Lord Evelyn Oakleigh were genius. Brodey Laundon was hysterical as the slightly dumb, very naive and over-excitable Snob and he had so many excellent moments it’s impossible to name them all. The scene where he was seduced by Reno was genius whilst his constant excitement over learning American phrases was almost childlike. It was great to see the Showman in him in the fab number, The Gypsy In Me with some impressive vocals and even better dance moves.

Joseph Arnott as Billy Crocker was just perfect for the role, with a wink and cheesy grin he mastered the cheeky chappie character. Involved in almost every scene this central character interacted with almost everyone, impersonating them all too with ease. From gangster to wheel chair bound granny, Joseph showed great versatility in his performance. Being able to impress in a love song with a strong voice and top range whilst mastering the silly duets with some cracking dance moves too. A really impressive showing.

This is the first time I have seen Naomi Waite in a principal role and as Crocker’s love interest, Hope Harcourt she really impressed. Being more of a straight character she held her character throughout despite the chaos around her and she showed a true sparkle in her love scenes with Billy. The chemistry between the two was lovely to watch and her voice really shone in Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye pulling us into her story.

Now as if the Love Triangle wasn’t chaos enough, we also had a Ship full of gangsters all creating chaos in their disguised and often unsuccessful ways. Will Jackson played the pretty useless yet loveable rogue Moonface Martin and he brought a real charm to the role. I loved the mafia style accent that held for the show whilst giving it a cheeky style rather than angry gangster really worked. His duet with Ruth in Friendship was excellent, with great bits of choreography the two had us, the audience in fits of laughter.

His main sidekick in the show was Erma played by Kimmi Chapman in easily her best role to date. The sultry and confident Moll had the men, and in particular the sailors eating out of the palm of her hand. She carried her role with such confidence and style and her song Buddie Beware and the seduction of two hapless sailors gave her a chance to show off some stunning vocals with power and control. A great performance 

Bimbling around the scenes and as a great comedy duo were Sophie McGlynn and Stan Parry as Spit and Dippy, two street wise, yet clearly more effective baddies than the gangsters themselves.

Trying to keep control, yet ultimately adding to the chaos were Tracie Birdsall and Matthew Ainsworth as Evangeline Harcourt and Eli Whitney. Tracie was fab as the hysterical and over protective mother desperate to keep her daughter’s doomed wedding plans on track whilst Matthew was ideal as the Wall St Bigshot. His suave and cocky arrogance ideal in this role and it almost seemed perfect for these two bigger than life characters to end up together.

Anything Goes is famous for its Big Numbers and the choreography alongside some lovely vocals under the guidance of MD Trevor Wilson and his 8 piece band was really well planned and really well executed especially by the quartet of dancing girls, Reno’s showgirls. Jasmine Lorriman, Louisa Culley, Eilidh McMillan and Jess McCallum not only looked the part but were tight, slick and the perfect lead dancers. The 1930’s moves with trumpet playing alongside some slick charleston style routines really brought the numbers to life.

The ensemble and minor characters played a huge part in the show, from the completely nuts and eccentric Captain and Purser, Nik Browne and Graham Bell, our roving reporters Lewis Wilde and Colin Holborn right through to our ships crew who delivered the most amazing harmony work for just 4, senior male vocalists. Matthew Ainsworth, James Cornick, David Ferry and Brian Phillips proving that experience not quantity certainly can deliver on quality. 

The whole cast and crew all combined to deliver the most fun and entertaining evening I have had in the Theatre for quite some time. Hopefully other societies will realise that you can take the classics and make them modern and fresh. NMTC and Director Claire clearly saw the potential in this show and delivered with great effect. Thank you to everyone involved for a wonderful show and as always the most friendly welcome and hospitality and I can’t wait to see you all again in the Spring for your Show Stoppers Concert.

 

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