Anything Goes The Musical

From the moment the curtain rose, it was clear that Sebastian Lassandro’s direction had steered this amateur production of Anything Goes into confident waters. The cast was well rehearsed, and the delivery throughout was slick, stylish, and true to the spirit of the 1930s setting. It’s always a treat to see a show where the ensemble feels cohesive, and this one certainly did.

Vocally, the cast impressed across the board. There were a few minor hiccups with mics dropping out, but that’s par for the course in live theatre and didn’t detract from the overall experience. The big ensemble numbers were energetic and well drilled, though at times particularly in the title number at the end of Act 1 the pace felt a touch frantic. That said, the choreography by Gemma and Lauren Chapman was inventive and lively, adding plenty of sparkle to the shipboard shenanigans.

Kate Longden brought sass and charisma to Reno Sweeney, delivering her lines with wit and a knowing wink that suited the character perfectly. Her energy lit up the stage, and she handled the musical numbers with flair. Daniel Hickman gave a charming performance as Billy Crocker, with solid vocals and a nice sense of comic timing that kept the audience smiling.

One of the standout performances came from Tom Kershaw-Green as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. His impeccable comedic timing had the audience in stitches, and his rendition of “The Gypsy in Me” was a personal highlight, equal parts absurd and endearing.

Sebastian Lassandro doubled up as Moonface Martin and was absolutely hilarious, channeling a Jimmy Cagney-esque delivery that gave the character a vintage gangster vibe. His scenes with Emma Konnanov as Erma were a joy to watch. The chemistry between them was palpable, and Emma’s sultry vocals especially in “Buddy Beware” were a real treat.

Visually, the production was top-notch. The sets and costumes were vibrant and period-appropriate, helping to transport us aboard the S.S. American with ease. The backstage crew deserves a special mention, not for what they did, but for how seamlessly they did it. Their invisibility is a testament to their professionalism and preparation.

Having seen Anything Goes several times over the years, I can confidently say this version held its own. It was full of heart, humour, and toe-tapping tunes. The cast and crew should be incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved. It’s no small feat to pull off a show with such complex choreography, fast-paced dialogue, and musical numbers, but they did so with style and enthusiasm.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself and left the theatre with a smile on my face and a tune in my head. Bravo to everyone involved. I can’t wait to see what you do next!

 

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