High Society - Barbican Theatre

My, what a swell party this was!

For the first time in what feels like forever, High Society is back gracing the London theatre scene with grand Cole Porter tunes and Golden Age storytelling.

This is a classic Golden Age musical, where plot lines intertwine in absolute chaos but somehow, more or less everyone ends up happy. This one follows the Lord family as the eldest daughter, Tracy (Helen George), prepares to throw the wedding of the year. Her father ends up caught in a high society scandal, and to avoid ending up in the papers, two secret reporters are granted entry into this exclusive world. Seems simple enough, right? Wrong! Because Tracy's ex-husband Dexter, who is still in love with her, arrives at the Lord house to celebrate the marriage. Like I said - chaos! But by my word, is it fun to watch.

Photography by Pamela Raith

Everything about this production is on point. The set, designed by Tom Rogers, is a grand affair that places us in what ultimately looks like a great house on the French Riviera. Two large staircases on either side of the stage come together to form a balcony overlooking the rest of the space. All of this translates seamlessly from the main hall to the pool to the gardens, with the help of lighting and a wealth of set pieces. The costumes (Jon Morrell) are each more incredible than the last, with fine satin dresses and "penguin suits" as far as the eye can see, representing every colour of the rainbow. The lighting design (Howard Hudson) complements all the design elements of the show perfectly, with all teams working in impressive symbiosis. All of it comes together to create a live MGM classic, where audiences may find themselves wondering whether they are watching a film with multiple takes or a live performance. It is glorious, glamorous and decadent beyond measure.

As for the choreography by Anthony van Laast, I relished every detail. My particular favourite was Act 2's Let's Misbehave - the wedding (or, more precisely, "wedding eve") party scene. It blended exuberant sequences, with arms and legs thrown in the air in what can only be described as a moment where you see everyone's inhibitions melt away, with slower sequences reminiscent of a film in which everything around the main character seems to grind to a halt. The energy from the ensemble was simply electrifying - it truly made me feel as though I could get up there and dance just as well (something I could not realistically do, I am sorry to say).

Photography by Pamela Raith

The casting for this production is excellent. With star names like Helen George, Felicity Kendal, Julian Ovenden, Carly Mercedes Dyer and even Freddie Fox, making his musical theatre debut, it was unlikely to disappoint. Helen George was remarkable as Tracy; from moments of wit to pure melancholy and longing, she made the role her own. Freddie Fox, as one of the undercover reporters, made a stunning debut. Despite the occasional imperfection, he bet on the one thing we all know he has mastered: a truthful embodiment of a character. It was not perfect, but it was a truly admirable performance, given the titanic task that is a Cole Porter musical.

This is the kind of story that is really only as good as its supporting characters; they are the ones who make or break a production like this. And they did not disappoint. From Tracy's younger sister Dinah (Naomi Pacquette), a young woman taking her first steps in society and who brought to mind a less headstrong Amy March from Little Women, to the matriarch played by Felicity Kendal - every line was delivered with perfect timing, producing real laugh-out-loud moments throughout the show.

Suffice it to say, I had an incredible time. This truly is the party of the season, bringing unbridled joy and laughter to the London stage this summer, before setting off on a UK tour. I would be curious to see how this lavish set can be adapted for the road, but regardless, based on what I saw tonight, I know the show is in very safe hands.

Production Value: 90%

Value for Money: 80%

Personal Enjoyment: 95%

Overall Score: 88% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5*)

(AD | Ticket gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: Barbican Theatre, London

Playing until the 11th July 2026, before heading on tour.

Run Time: 2h30 - including an interval

Tickets are available for purchase at this link.