High Society, the critically acclaimed musical production, is set to embark on a major six-month tour of the UK and Ireland following its record-breaking, history-making summer season at London's Barbican Theatre. The smash-hit show recently shattered box office records at the Barbican, grossing an unprecedented £760,000 in a single playing week and securing the highest-grossing single performance in the venue's history.
The newly announced national tour, which officially kicks off at the High Wycombe Swan Theatre, will bring Cole Porter's timeless sophistication, razor-sharp comedy, and romantic charm to prestigious venues across the country. This sumptuous production is brought to life by a decorated creative team, directed by the renowned Rachel Kavanaugh and featuring choreography by the legendary Anthony Van Laast, with exquisite musical supervision from Stephen Ridley.
Leading the incredibly talented 28-strong company is Helen George, starring alongside Freddie Fox, Nigel Lindsay, and Julian Ovenden. Fox, known for his roles in Slow Horses, and Ovenden, famed for Bridgerton, help anchor a cast praised by critics for delivering diamond-standard performances. Joining this stellar lineup are Carly Mercedes Dyer, who reprises her powerhouse performance as Liz Imbrie direct from the Barbican run, and the celebrated West End star Josefina Gabrielle, who joins the touring cast as Mother Lord.
Based on Philip Barry's classic play The Philadelphia Story, this lavish revival of the Golden Age musical plunges theatergoers into a glamorous world of seaside estates, champagne-filled evenings, and chaotic romantic entanglements. As plans for a highly prestigious society wedding quickly unravel, old flames and new suitors compete for attention while a pair of cynical tabloid journalists hunt for a front-page scandal.
The show’s irresistible charm is driven by Cole Porter’s most celebrated, show-stopping musical numbers. Audiences can look forward to iconic standards such as "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," "Well Did You Evah?!," "I Love Paris," "Let’s Misbehave," and the beautifully romantic "True Love." Boasting exceptional performances and magnificent stage design, this production promises to be an unmissable theatrical event.
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
