High Society makes for a light, enjoyable night at the theatre, with a strong cast and plenty of Cole Porter songs.
Tracy Lord’s wedding should be one of the biggest events of the season. Her former husband is still in the picture, a reporter has taken an interest in her family, and the preparations are becoming more complicated by the day. This is the setting for Cole Porter’s High Society, which has arrived at Lowry following a London season. Rachel Kavanaugh’s production has a strong cast, lovely costumes and a collection of songs that give the evening plenty of charm.
Based on Philip Barry’s play The Philadelphia Story, with a book by Arthur Kopit, the musical follows Tracy as she prepares to marry George Kittredge. Helen George leads the cast as Tracy and gives a strong performance. The acting across the company is good, making the changing relationships enjoyable to follow even when the story takes its time. With so many characters moving through the wedding preparations, the strength of the cast is important to the shows appeal.
Jon Morrell’s costumes are another highlight. They give the occasion its glamour and make Tracy’s world convincing before the wedding has even begun. Together with Porter’s music, they create the expectation of a lively party. The first half does not always meet that expectation. It is enjoyable to watch, particularly because of the cast, but some scenes could use a little more pace and pizazz. The show has all the right ingredients; it just takes time for them to come together.
There is a noticeable lift after the interval. The second half moves more easily, and the music and humour have more impact. ‘Let’s Misbehave’, a song in the second half, is a particular highlight. It is catchy and great fun to watch, bringing the energy that had been missing earlier. It is the point at which the production feels most like the party promised by its setting, and the cast clearly benefits from that change of pace.
The stronger second half also shows what would have helped the opening scenes. More of that energy from the start would have made the evening feel more consistent. Still, the first half has the performances and the visual appeal to hold your attention while the story gets going, and the improvement after the interval makes for a satisfying finish.
High Society is at its best when it lets the cast and Porter’s songs take the lead. The acting is a pleasure to watch, Jon Morrell’s costumes look lovely, and the bigger musical numbers bring everyone together on stage. It all makes for a light, enjoyable night at the theatre, with plenty of humour and music along the way.
High Society runs until 3 October at Lowry, Salford, before continuing its tour.