BWW Reviews: HIGH SOCIETY, The Old Vic, May 18 2015

The Old Vic's production of High Society is almost lavish and euphoric enough to honour and celebrate Kevin Spacey's tenure as Artistic Director. This show has style.

High Society the musical was based on Philip Barry's play, The Philadelphia Story, which was adapted for screen twice - with Cole Porter's score included in the second adaptation. This production is set some twenty years after previous versions: in the fifties. The period suits this show; the leading lady, Tracy Lord, epitomises the modern American woman - of a certain rank of society. Tracy hunts, she drinks and she gets divorced. However, High Society is the story of her wedding day and the romantic tangles that must be unravelled before the ceremony. All in all, the plot is slightly thin. There are some funny reporters and Tracy's parents try to resolve some of their own marital drama, but the musical takes place over a brief enough period of time that it gets away with it and the story is simply not the reason why this show is entertaining.

Even before High Society's actual script or score commence, the audience are treated to the undeniable skill and smooth wit of jazz pianist Joe Stilgoe. This immediately sets up the glamorous, swanky atmosphere director Maria Friedman so carefully crafts throughout. The songs are as musically adept as you would expect of Porter and Friedman's direction brings fresh life to the well-known material that might be cloying in another's hands; Jamie Parker and Annabel Scholey's rendition of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? is particularly successful and Ellie Bamber's duet with Rupert Young is charming. Kate Fleetwood is consistently strong as Tracy Lord, displaying strong vocals and exceptional dramatic talent. Her pre-marital celebrations are hilarious. Parker also stands out and Bamber's depiction of champagne consumption is wise beyond her years. Though there are a couple of moments where the chorus are slightly excruciating in their ever-so-staged conduct, the show is otherwise masterfully directed.

By the far the most wonderful thing about this show is the opening to Act 2. It's a spectacular party and Stilgoe gets a duet partner - Theo Jamieson, the show's musical director. The music alone is stunning, then the addition of Nathan M Wright's fantastic choreography results in one of the most fun and sophisticated musical theatre knees-ups I've ever seen.Tom Pye's costumes are gorgeous, too.

It's not Chekhov, but it's not trying to be. It's the sort of show to which you take your grandma and you both have a wonderful time.

High Society runs at the Old Vic until August 22.

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