It’s another opening, another show (sorry, wrong show) as the curtain goes up on the latest summer season at the Theatre in the Hills – and it’s another musical blockbuster, writes Peter Cargill.
A 17-strong cast and an orchestra of eight ensure that the Cole Porter aficionados, or any one else for that matter, are not disappointed.
Director John Durnin has set a high standard to maintain over the years since musicals were first added to the repertoire. Could the company do it again? The answer is in one of the song titles – “You’re Sensational”!
Adrian Rees’ wedding cake-themed set is both substantial and flexible for a plethora of scenes which are reset with apparent effortless ease by the cast – while also singing and dancing!
Movement is under the capable hands (and feet) of Chris Stuart-Wilson with a nodding tribute to Bob Fosse – a flick of the wrist, a shrug, a twist of the head all in perfect unison. And that is the secret of this triumph – it is one cohesive unit working in true harmony.
The bus pass brigade will be familiar with the music in the film, but the stage reworking contains many more Cole Porter creations to go along with “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”, “Just One of those Things” and “Well, Did You Evah?”
These ever-enduring numbers could well suffer from over-familiarisation, but in the hands of this superb cast, they are as fresh as if penned yesterday.
Apart from the music, much of the success is in the comedy – Helen Mallon shows a great line in inebriation as socialite Tracy Lord (her impending marriage to boring George is complicated by the reappearance of her first husband Dexter). But the comedic honours go to Mark Faith as the befuddled Uncle Willie, whose arms and legs seem to have a mind of their own as if operated by a demented puppeteer.
It is an inauspicious first entry for the intended groom, but Alan Mirren soon made his mark with a strong vocal performance.
And under the baton of Jon Beales, the musical contribution is of the highest calibre. The suitably-clad musicians are accommodated on one of the “wedding cake tiers” at the back.
The finale could probably do with a show-stopper such as “Throwing A Ball Tonight” or “Let’s Misbehave”, but the animated and musical curtain call more than compensates.
High Society continues on various dates until October 14.
