Anything Goes

This show, full of wonderful comic characters and marvellous Cole Porter music, was an ideal vehicle to display the many talents of this company’s members. Even before the overture began members of the cast were out in the auditorium interacting with the audience eliciting lots of laughter – just a taste of what was to follow. Lynsey Craddock was outstanding as the sassy evangelist Reno Sweeney with the powerful voice required of the character shown off to full effect in the rousing “Blow, Gabriel, Blow”. Her comedy talents were to the fore in her interactions with the characters Moonface Martin and Lord Evelyn Oakley. Matthew McBrier was a very handsome Billy Crocker, love interest of both Reno and the debutante Hope Harcourt (a demure but strong-willed Laura Burnett), with excellent singing and dancing skills as demonstrated in his duets with both ladies “You’re the Top” and “It’s De-lovely” respectively. Most of the laughter in the show was elicited from Gavin Davidson’s portrayal of the gangster Moonface Martin, lowly Public Enemy Number 13, and his attempts to aid Billy in winning the affections of Hope – his rendition of “Be Like The Bluebird” had the audience in stitches! Joanne Peacock’s sailor chasing Erma, Moonface’s dumb blonde accomplice, was not to be outdone in the comedy stakes with some wonderful expressions and one liners. Craig Pike’s portrayal of the befuddled English aristocrat Lord Evelyn Oakleigh was one of the best I have seen and his rendition of “The Gypsy In Me” was hilarious. Strong support was given by Andrew Begg (Wall Street magnate Elisha Whitney), Kirsten Knight (Evangeline Harcourt, Hope’s mother), Matthew Rose (Captain of the SS American), and Gregor Robertson (the Purser). Special mention must be made of the perfectly behaved Neville as Mrs Harcourt’s pet dog Cheeky. The chorus sang and moved well throughout but especially in the big company numbers “Anything Goes” and “Blow, Gabriel, Blow”. Costuming was appropriate and good use was made of the multi-level ship set. The seventeen piece onstage orchestra, under the careful baton of Laura Pike, gave full justice to Cole Porter’s rich melodies. Well done to all at The Lyric for another wonderful show in this your 65th anniversary year.

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