With music and lyrics by Cole Porter, this classic musical is certainly going to have you singing along and swaying to highly memorable hits like “I Get A Kick Out Of You”, “You’re The Top”, “Anything Goes!” and “Blow Gabriel Blow”.
Directed by the award winning Kathleen Marshall, this is truly a feel good spectacle of a show, with a stunning set design, lighting and costumes. I can guarantee that you will be on your feet at the end, wishing you were up there enjoying all of the fun with the cast.
In conjunction with Cunard Cruises, when the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention head out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love… proving that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors, an exotic disguise and some good old-fashioned blackmail.
Action packed with many a song, dance and plenty of comedy, delivered by an outstanding cast and crew, this performance certainly floated my boat!
Leading this cast as “Reno Sweeney”, Kerry Ellis of notorious West End and Broadway success, shines as this sassy, fun loving, longing to be loved songstress. Ellis belts out her songs with ease and creates a wonderful Reno, that you can’t help but love. Ellis is clearly a master of her vocal craft, and gives everything to her dance numbers too.
Olivier Award winning actor Denis Lawson brings a 1st class comedy genius performance as a 2nd rate gangster, Public Enemy number 13, “Moonface Martin”.
Lawson’s ability to switch up his scheming master of disguises, yet remain the lovable jester is just brilliant.
The truly British acting legend of stage and screen Simon Callow, is a delight as the Yale alumni multi-millionaire “Elisha Whitney”. Desperate for the affection of a former friends widow who just by chance is sailing with her daughter and future son in law, Callow’s Elisha Whitney isn’t ashamed that money can be thrown at anything or anyone to get what you want.
Step in “Evangeline Harcourt”, a widow, a pushy mother and soon to be wealthy mother in-law, who is intent on marrying her daughter “Hope” off to a wealthy British aristocrat, despite her daughter having eyes for another man who happens to have found himself onboard the ship. Evangeline is perfectly cast with national treasure of stage, film and television, the insanely talented Bonnie Langford.
Langford, who has played many a lead in her time, has created a delightful Evangeline, who is funny, classy, desperate and shallow. When she has her moments in the limelight as Evangeline, Langford commands your attention with her presence and skilful comedy acting and singing. With such a notable dance talent stood there on stage, in my opinion, it’s such a shame that this character wasn’t able to join in some of the big dance numbers and allow Bonnie to fully enjoy doing what she does best.
The rivet that holds this whole plot together is the “will they-won’t they” love story of “Billy Crocker” and “Hope Harcourt” who are destined to be together.
After a chance meeting at a party, and a 5 hour romp in the back of a cab, Billy Crocker is played by a very charismatic and endearing Samuel Edwards who is a strong leading male. With excellent vocals throughout, Edwards delivers some very strong onstage partnerships with a number of the other leads in this production. Creating a sweet and people pleasing “Hope Harcourt” is Nicole-Lily Baisden who again has a lovely vocal tone and is a joy watch and listen to.
Other stand out performances are given by Carly Mercedes Dyer, who plays the hysterically funny and sexy, the man mad gangsters moll “Erma”.
Dyer will have you in stitches laughing with her delivery of this loveable and charming character.
Also one not to miss is Haydn Oakley, who plays the bumbling British aristocrat “Lord Evelyn Oakleigh”. A collector of people and phrases, they say you should never judge a book by its cover….. and as Oakleigh, Haydn Oakley reveals that if you start digging deeper within yourself…. You never know what you may find, especially if there is a passionate “Gypsy in Me”, bursting to get out!
The staging and choreography for this whole production was stylish and polished. Full credit to be given to the ensemble of this show, who in supporting the lead characters, bring to life a wonderful and enjoyable performance on the high seas!
The audience totally agreed with me as they were on their feet at the end giving a rapturous standing ovation which was absolutely well deserved.
And not to disappoint her fans…. Bonnie Langford gave her trade mark, gravity defying high kick at the very end of the bows! Bravo!
Catch Anything Goes at Palace Theatre Manchester until Saturday 18 June 2022, tickets can be found at www.atgtickets.com
Review by Glen Clancy
The Biz 