Review: HIGH SOCIETY, The Mill At Sonning

As households around the country begin to plan their festive feasts, the delightful Mill at Sonning in Berkshire already has theirs well in hand. Following their buffet menu, the theatre is currently offering its well-fed audience members a charming revival of the Cole Porter and Arthur Kopit musical High Society, in a new production directed by Joseph Pitcher.

Though it resembles a golden age musical, High Society began its life as a 50s movie musical based on the 1939 Broadway play, the Philadelphia Story. Some four decades later, High Society returned to its theatrical roots with a stage musical adaptation that combined the film's score with other Cole Porter hits such as "Just One of Those Things" and "Let's Misbehave".

On the eve of her wedding to the endearingly dim George Kitteridge, Long Island socialite Tracy Lord finds herself rattled by the arrival of some unexpected guests. Among them are her neighbour and torch-carrying ex-husband CK Dexter Haven as well as a pair of dubious journalists. Eschewing the love triangle in favour of a shape that is at least five-sided, a boozy party has hosts and guests alike acting on their indecent impulses until the early hours of the morning.

Victoria Serra is on divine form as leading lady Tracy Lord, coupling a transatlantic accent with a disarming, steely gaze. Tracy's charisma disguises a vulnerability that Serra shines heartbreaking light on as she gets steadily sloshed. As CK Dexter Haven meanwhile, Matt Blaker serenades smoothly and teases his former flame with schoolboy admiration, only occasionally coming across a little smug.

As these wealthy elites wash their woes down, we find familiarity in the relatable responses of the journalists Mike Connor and Liz Imbrie: equal parts outraged and enthralled. Incidentally a dead ringer for his onscreen predecessor, Frank Sinatra, Matthew Jeans gives an effortless starn turn as Mike while scene-stealer Laura Tyrer once again harnesses her classic showbiz chops to portray lovelorn Liz with wit and panache.

As they return from the interval, High Society invites its audience to literally join the frolicking party, as performers pair with patrons and take to the stage while Tom Noyes' band emerge from backstage to quicken the musical pulse. That this extended party sequence, which last for most of the second act, is so vibrant and buoyant is a tribute to the light-footed pace of Pitcher's direction and Jaye Elster's vivacious vintage choreography. 

For all of its bubbling, champagne-soaked levity however, Pitcher's production contends neither with the witty character of Anna Linstrum's 2013 UK Tour or the euphoric joy of Maria Friedman's 2015 glorious revival at the Old Vic. What it does offer is charm and style - from Jason Denvir's geometric shape clad set to the steady sunrise of Nic Farman and Hector Murray's lighting design.

And yet, the Mill continues to offer a uniquely delicious theatrical experience that nourishes its audience with classic song and dance. If it doesn't quite effervesce with brilliance, it sparkles nonetheless with sophistication.

High Society runs at the Mill at Sonning until 20tJanuary 2024

Photo Credit: Andreas Lambis

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