High Society at The Barbican Theatre Review
Image: Pamela Raith
Written by Cathie for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. All views are our own
The Barbican’s summer season is set for the wedding of the year by hosting High Society. This is the third of Cole Porter’s musicals brought to life on the Barbican stage, with this production vividly reimagined by director Rachel Kavanagh, to showcase the American Elite’s romantic woes.
Without many spoilers, this is a light hearted romantic drama where icily glamorous socialite Tracy Lord is preparing to marry a preposterously dull accountant named George, who her family despise or ignore. In the eve of her wedding reception, her ex husband Dexter Haven arrives and attempts to win her back. Throw in a few undercover reporters and lovers spats and this is a fizzy champagne delight of romantic shenanigans on a par with a Shakespearean comedy or Irving Berlin’s Top Hat.
This show focuses more on visual spectacle than story but is a thoroughly enjoyable time that is timeless in its elegance. The cast are a joy to watch on stage. Felicity Kendal glows as Mama Lord. Naomi Pacquette is hilarious as precocious Dinah. David Sedon-Young is hilarious as bewildered George Kitteridge, the erstwhile groom. James Hume steals the show as Chester and has the audience in the palm of his hand. Nigel Lindsay is incredible as Uncle Willy and had the audience roaring with laughter. Freddie Fox and Carly Mercedes Dyer shine as the undercover reporters with vivid chemistry. Julian Ovenden and Helen George are phenomenal as the main couple and bring a lot of chemistry, wit and sizzle as the main couple. The ensemble are especially wonderful in bringing vivid immersion throughout. The cast work well together with impressive chemistry and work hard to bring their own impression to the titanic moulds left by the cast of the original movie, including Sinatra and Grace Kelly. They all work well together to create a wonderful fiesta feeling throughout.
The pacing of this show happens over a mere 48 hours before the wedding, yet all of act 2 happens in a mere 12 hours in the run up to the wedding of the year. It is a gentle show with plenty of quick quips, gentle retorts and hilarious asides that is wonderful to relax into. Anthony Van Laast’s choreography is a a captivating joy with stunning group ensembles and endearing intimate moments among the cast. Tom Rogers’ set design is a beautifully decadent visual feast that envelopes the audience into this glamorous world of high society. Jon Morell’s costume design is fantastically elegant and immersive while Adam Fisher’s sound design brilliantly captivates the audience.
This is a delightful and utterly charming musical which will bring joy and light hearted wonder to kick start your summer - a joyful champagne party which brings laughter, gentle wit and fantastic atmosphere throughout. If you like sweet romances, fantastic cast, classical musical and a wonderfully “swellegant” night out then this is the show for you.
Running at the Barbican until 11th July
★★★★
