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An elegant, swellegant show
High Society
Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton ****
HOT on the heels of the Oscars, Wolverhampton's Grand theatre
rolled out its own red carpet last night as patrons sipped champagne
cocktails and donned full evening clobber in anticipation of a ‘swell
party'. A packed house, too. Not bad for a chilly, Black Country evening
in February. High Society is a stage adaptation of a movie. That, in itself is unusual as its most often the other way around. The 1956 film was a perfect vehicle for Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. It also proved to be the swan
song for Grace Kelly who up- sticked to become a real life Princess
shortly after the film was released. With such big names and a score by
Cole Porter, it was a winner from the start. Director, Anna Linstrum loses
none of the glamour and sparkle of the film. A mostly white set actually
shimmers under the ‘sun kissed' lighting and provides a perfect canvass
for an array of sharp suits and sumptuous ball gowns. Elegant, plain
wooden furniture gives real depth and texture and is cleverly and
quickly moved as required on a stage revolve. Nothing seems cluttered,
affording ample space for the company to strut their stuff.
Part of the joy of coming to
the theatre is the sense of being transported to another world .To
escape, albeit for a couple of hours, from day to day reality. Designer,
Francis O'Connor, deserves huge credit for creating a little piece of
Long Island luxury bathed in sunshine. The plot is simple. Guests
gather for a wedding. Champagne is quaffed and feathers ruffled.
Unrequited love, perhaps one of Musical Theatre's biggest themes, rears
its head and threatens to spoil the party. Or does it?
SUCCESS GUARANTEED Sondheim aside, complicated
plot lines are not the main ingredient of musical theatre. Audiences
come for the songs and with a score by Cole Porter, those songs are
going to appeal. Good tunes are one thing. Combined with the wit and
sheer cleverness of Porter's lyrics, success is guaranteed. Classics
just keep coming in this show - Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, True
Love, Let's Misbehave, Just One of Those Things and Well, Did you
Evah? are just a few of the numbers in an almost embarrassment of
musical riches. Michael Praed oozes natural
charm as Dexter Haven, Laid back to a point of lying down, his delivery
has a filmic quality that sits well in this piece.
Sophie Bould , as Tracey Lord,
is a complete joy. Beautiful to watch and to listen to. She also plays
tipsy well. Many try but sadly fail.
Daniel Boys as Mike Connor
undoubtedly has the big voice yet he actually has less to sing than
Michael Praed. When he is allowed to let loose, though, notice is taken!
Strong performances too from
Alex Young as Liz Imbrie, Katie Lee as Dinah lord and Keiron Crook as
George. Teddy Kempner as gin loving Uncle Willy is given some of the
best comedy lines and doesn't disappoint. A perfect antidote to a cold
night. Its all here - great songs, sunny locations and spot on
performances all round. Go on! Join the party - the best elegant,
swellagant party in town! Tom
Roberts
*** BACK on the stage she first trod as an
eight year old, Sophie Bould returns to the Grand starring in this Cole
Porter musical as it begins a UK tour. She plays wealthy socialite Tracy Lord in the
stylish adaptation of the 1956 film which boasted a cast including Grace
Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. Now 31, Sophie spent a number of years with the
South Staffs Musical Theatre Company before turning professional and has
since appeared in the West End. She is comfortable in the role of the Long Island
divorcee whose preparations for a lavish society wedding to George
Kittredge (Keiron Crook) are disrupted by the unexpected arrival of
ex-husband Dexter Haven, who fancies winning her back. There is a sparkling opening to the musical when
Sophie makes a string of remarkable quick costume changes on stage
during the overture, switching from jodhpurs to golf gear, a tennis
outfit and finally a swimming costume. Michael Praed has loads of poise as Dexter and
there are amusing comedy spots from veteran Teddy Kempner (Uncle Willie)
and young Katie Lee (Dinah Lord), with sound contributions from Daniel
Boys (reporter Mike Connor), Alex Young (Liz Imbrie), and Marilyn Cutts
(Margaret Lord). The set, which represents the family's magnificent
home, has a revolving circular section and works well, with cast members
able to smoothly move various pieces for room changes. But overall this production needs more power and
quality from the voices to cash in on such fine songs. Directed by Anna
Linstrum, High Society runs to 02-03-13 and will be at Birmimngham
Hippodrome from May 14-18. Paul Marston
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