Anything Goes!

 

 

Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton 

 

 

Having little prior knowledge of Anything Goes, I was pleased to discover that it’s one of those shows where many of the songs are legendary in their own right. Cole Porter classics including ‘I Get a Kick Out of You’, ‘You’re the Top’, ‘Friendship’, ‘It’s De-Lovely’ and, of course, the title song make the show feel comforting and familiar from the start, whether or not you’ve seen it before. 

 

Set on the SS American, we join a varied group of characters on a journey across the Atlantic, encountering complicated relationships, criminal activity and cases of mistaken identity along the way. In the wrong hands, a show that is approaching 100 years old could seem silly and old-fashioned to modern audiences, but in this case the strong direction and talented cast keep things fun and engaging throughout. Leading lady Sara Evans-Bolger plays nightclub star Reno Sweeney with confidence and warmth, while showcasing vocals worthy of the West End. Rob Stott-Marshall provides all the charm and humour required for the role of accidental stowaway Billy Crocker, while Fiona plays his love interest Hope Harcourt with emotion and powerful vocals.

 

  

 

 

Comedy drives the story along, aided by very entertaining performances from Adam as gangster Moonface Martin and Craig as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. The occasionally misbehaving set added extra moments of humour on opening night, while a very cute and well-behaved dog charmed the audience during its brief moments on stage. Strong performances from the supporting cast and the chorus add to the high quality of this production, making the ensemble numbers some of the show’s best moments. Tap dancing and imaginative choreography with mops ensure that everyone gets their moment to shine. 

 

 

The sound is crystal clear throughout in the intimate venue and the effective lighting helps to create all the moods needed to keep the audience hooked from start to finish. The many glitzy costumes add glamour and authenticity to the production, with more sequins than a Kylie concert. If you need a mood lift and a trip back to simpler times (and, let’s face it, who doesn’t right now?), this is the show for you. The group’s next production will take a darker turn with Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, perfectly timed for Halloween at the end of October. In the meantime, you can feel like you’re holidaying on the SS American until Saturday!