***
Some stories feel like they are made for the Summer; the classic musical comedy High Society is one of them. Low on stakes and heavy on good feelings, with plenty of jokes and quips (and even some accountancy-based puns) and a truly spectacular score by Cole Porter, it is a work that never pretended to be anything but entertainment, and it works perfectly for a warm Summer night.
We might debate its appeal to a younger audience; it is true that the audience attending its opening night at Cardiff’s New Theatre skewed older, and one might argue that it might be harder for a generation that has gone through a couple decades of financial precariousness to empathise with main characters who are, we are told many times, almost preposterously rich. True, the text itself of the work pokes fun at this; it is, if you want to find themes in this musical, one of its main themes. The bit where the host of housemaids, butlers, and gardeners, who have for the majority of the show primarily handled the scene changes, towards the end find their voice for a sullen reprise of ‘Who wants to be a millionaire’ comes as close to class-based commentary as you can get; it’s a small touch, but it does wonders for making the whole thing more palatable.
Ultimately, though, one does not go to see High Society for class commentary. It is supposed to be a light-hearted comedy about love where all the characters come across endearing, and this cast does a good job at delivering that. Helen George as the voluble Tracy Lord doesn’t miss a beat; Naomi Pacquette as her disgruntled little sister Dinah is a delight. Julian Ovenden sets a note of roguish charm for his Dexter Haven and David Seadon-Young spins his take on Tracy’s accountant-cum-fiance, George Kittredge, in such a way that he comes across more endearing than laughable. The pair of journalists who find themselves enmeshed in it all is delivered here by Freddie Fox and Carly Mercedes Dyer; they have good chemistry with each other and better chemistry with the rest of the cast. Nigel Lindsay’s Uncle Willie is arguably the true star of the show, getting laughs from the audience whenever he opens his mouth.
The music, of course, is the true highlight of this show, and if you like jazz and swing you are going to have a very good time, aided by a really strong set of vocal performances that lean fully into the stylings of the time. Staging and choreography are bright, attentive to detail, and seamlessly executed, helping make the bigger moments in particular feel memorable.
Carly Mercedes Dyer and Freddie Fox
We may not have all that much sympathy for millionaires, but this does not prevent High Society from being a very enjoyable Summer evening.
https://trafalgartickets.com/new-theatre-cardiff/en-GB
New Theatre, Cardiff. Until July 25
Main image Julian Ovenden and Helen George
Images by Pamela Raith Photography
