Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
After returning from holiday with jet lag, High Society at The Lowry was exactly the kind of show I needed: light, frothy, glamorous and wonderfully easy to lose yourself in for an evening.
This is pure Golden Age musical escapism, with a simple but charming plot, fabulous costumes, beautiful scenery and a brilliant cast. It has the feel of an old Hollywood film brought to life on stage, complete with romance, humour, misunderstandings and plenty of sparkle.
What is High Society about?
Set in the wealthy world of Oyster Bay, High Society follows Tracy Lord as she prepares to marry the dependable, if slightly dull, George Kittredge. However, her wedding plans are soon thrown into chaos when her charismatic ex-husband Dexter Haven returns to the family home.
Things become even more complicated when journalist Mike Connor and photographer Liz Imbrie arrive to cover the society wedding for a magazine. They are hoping to uncover a family secret, but Mike soon finds himself drawn into the glamorous, chaotic world of the Lords — and perhaps a little too interested in the bride-to-be.
It is not an overly complicated story, but that is part of the appeal. There is romance, family drama, sharp humour, jealousy and plenty of confusion as Tracy begins to question whether she is marrying the right man — or whether she should be getting married at all.
The cast
Helen George is wonderful as Tracy Lord. She is elegant, poised and perfectly suited to the glamour of the role, but she also brings warmth and vulnerability to Tracy as the wedding weekend begins to unravel.
Julian Ovenden is effortlessly charming as Dexter Haven, Tracy’s ex-husband. He has a real old-school leading-man quality and a fantastic voice, making it easy to see why Dexter remains such an important figure in Tracy’s life.
Freddie Fox brings lots of energy and humour as journalist Mike Connor. His character is initially unimpressed by the privileged world of the Lords, but his growing connection with Tracy adds another layer to the story. Carly Mercedes Dyer is also great as Liz, Mike’s quick-witted photographer colleague, while Nigel Lindsay gets plenty of laughs as the larger-than-life Uncle Willie.
The supporting cast all help create a lively, polished production that feels full of personality from beginning to end.
Beautiful scenery and fabulous costumes
Visually, the production is gorgeous. The scenery creates the perfect setting for the Lord family’s glamorous waterside home, while the costumes are absolutely fabulous. There are elegant gowns, smart tailoring and all the glamour you would expect from a story set among high society.
Everything feels polished and stylish without being overdone. It is exactly the kind of show where you can sit back and enjoy the spectacle as much as the story itself.
Familiar songs and old Hollywood charm
One of the nicest surprises was how many of the songs I recognised. I loved classic Hollywood films as a child, including The Philadelphia Story, the film on which High Society is based, so there was something particularly nostalgic about seeing this story on stage.
The Cole Porter score is full of familiar, sophisticated songs and gives the whole production that unmistakable old-Hollywood charm. It is romantic, witty and glamorous, with plenty of toe-tapping moments along the way.
Final thoughts
High Society is not trying to be a deep or complicated musical, and that is exactly why it works so well. It is light, funny, romantic and easy to enjoy — the perfect choice if you want a feel-good evening at the theatre.
With a strong cast, beautiful scenery, fabulous costumes and a soundtrack full of classic songs, this production at The Lowry is a lovely bit of escapism. It was the ideal antidote to post-holiday jet lag and a reminder of just how enjoyable a simple, stylish old Hollywood story can be.
Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Production shots courtesy of the Lowry website
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