‘Rachel Kavanaugh’s swelegant production. . . shows its class and sparkles as it takes Salford by storm’
Direct from a sold-out West End season, director Rachel Kavanaugh’s swelegant production, based on Philip Barry’s play The Philadelphia Story, shows its class and sparkles as it takes Salford by storm on its opening night at the Lowry.
Socialite Tracy Lord (Helen George) is set to marry the family accountant (David Seadon-Young) but no one in the family is on board with it, from headstrong sister Dinah (Imogen Bailey) to sozzled Uncle Willie (Nigel Lindsay), estranged Mother Josefina Gabrielle) and Father, Seth (Malcolm Sinclair) – who have their own ‘will they, won’t they’ going on – all the way down to the butler, Chester (James Hume).
When ex-husband Dexter (Julian Ovenden), whom they all adore, turns up unexpectedly, it gives them hope that there may be a better ending in store, but when it transpires that he has invited two reporters along, Mike Connor (Freddie Fox) and Liz Imbrie (Carly Mercedes Dyer), who work for a scandalous magazine, it looks like the cat has been well and truly put among the pigeons.
Tom Rogers’ set design is sensational, oozing period charm within every scene, with scene changes perfectly timed and executed by an impressive ensemble (Bethany Adamson, David Austin-Barnes, Jabari Braham, George Bray, Andrew Coshan, Jordan Crouch, Frances Dee, Aaron Elijah, Tosca Fischer, Jacob Fisher, Heather Jackson, Aoife Kenny, Nell Martin, Isabel Snars, Maddie Harper, Thomas Inge, Robin Kent, Lucy Rice) who sing, dance, and act their hearts out throughout with some wonderfully choreographed routines from Anthony Van Laast, led by dance captains Inge and Rice, that extend to the cast too., Everyone is delightfully costumed by Jon Morrell to suit every unravelling occasion with Howard Hudson’s lighting design equally impressive.
Arthur Kopit’s book, with additional lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, may be a little light, but as any good writer knows, only use the words that you need, and certainly the details are there in support of the big reveal at the end if you keep your eyes peeled. Under the direction of Dan McLaughlin, the live band (Joshua Griffith, Ros Jones, Matthew Senior, Matt Hollick, Claire Shaw, George Shrapnell, Rhiannon Jeffreys, Steve Payne, Paul Mitchell, Rebecca Toal, Andy Watson, Lewis Musson) – some of whom get to appear on stage for one jazzy number – certainly keep the action moving along with a dazzling rendition of Cole Porter songs, mostly from the original film but with some additions to further enhance the mood, to leave us with an entertaining, fun, and feelgood musical which, over its two and a half hours running time, provides the perfect tonic for these unsettling times; the gin is optional.
All the cast perform strongly with fine acting and vocals throughout reinforced by a strong on-stage chemistry; I particularly enjoyed the tete-a-tete between Gabrielle and Sinclair.
Seadon-Young has a cruel role as the strait-laced accountant which he delivers with aplomb, and Hume stood out with a strong performance and a fine vocal as Chester.
Fox’s acting pedigree shines and he’s certainly found his voice on effectively his musical debut, whilst Dyer gives an accomplished performance with an impressive and moving vocal on ‘I’ve got you under my skin’.
Lindsay as good as stole the show as he entertainingly led everyone – band and all – through ‘Now you have jazz’ which powerfully closed the opening act to leave us in the interval eagerly awaiting the second half.
I must make a special mention for Bailey who stepped up from the ensemble to play Dinah and delivered on every level with an impressive all-round performance that bodes well for her future: one to watch.
George gives a strong performance as the wild-at-heart young woman on the rebound with an impressive vocal and an interesting twang to her accent, whilst Ovenden excelled throughout with his acting, singing, and dance routines, so much so that there really is nothing not to like about his performance and the production as a whole, which just goes to prove the adage that whilst form is temporary, class is permanent.
High Society performs at The Lowry through to 3rd October, with further details and booking at https://www.thelowry.com/whats-on/high-society-s1w2
Review Date: 23rd September 2026
Star Rating: FIVE