High Society - The Musical ★★★★ Barbican Centre | May 19 - Jul 11, 2026


“It's delightful, it's delicious, it's de-lovely.” High Society is a dazzling, effervescent summer entertainment, brimming with glamour, wit and charm. Buoyed by Cole Porter's sublime score and a frothy romantic comedy plot adapted from The Philadelphia Story, this is a production that asks nothing of its audience except that they surrender to its considerable pleasures. Sit back and enjoy the glorious music, slick choreography and a steady stream of sparkling comic moments. There may be faint echoes of A Midsummer Night's Dream in its tangle of misplaced affections, but analysing this theatrical soufflé would rather miss the point. Its purpose is simple: to delight. We know from the outset that socialite Tracy Lord, played with engaging assurance by understudy Isabel Snaas on this occasion, will ultimately reunite with her reformed ex-husband Dexter Haven, portrayed with effortless sophistication by Julian Ovenden. Nor does the plot leave much doubt that Freddie Fox’s Mike Connor will eventually discover that his true match is Liz Imbrie, who is given an appealingly grounded charm by Carly Mercedes Dyer. Along the way, the audience is treated to a succession of expertly delivered comic lines from Felicity Kendal as Mother Lord, Nigel Lindsay as the incorrigible Uncle Willie and Naomi Pacquette as the precocious Dinah Lord. Among the many highlights, "Well, Did You Evah!" and "Be a Clown" were particular triumphs, with Fox, Ovenden and Lindsay displaying impeccable comic timing and infectious chemistry. Ovenden's rendition of "Just One of Those Things" was beautifully judged, combining vocal richness with emotional depth. Fox, meanwhile, almost steals the show. Exuding charisma and movie-star glamour, he brings a playful intelligence to Mike Connor and proves an accomplished dancer, gliding through the choreography with elegance and ease. The large-scale production numbers, particularly "High Society" and "Let's Misbehave", are staged with flair and exuberance, delivering exactly the kind of old-fashioned musical theatre spectacle audiences crave. This is a production that knows precisely what it is and executes it with considerable panache. Stylish, joyous and thoroughly entertaining, High Society offers two and a half hours of pure escapism. As the curtain falls, it leaves its audience smiling, humming Cole Porter's unforgettable melodies and wishing summer nights could last a little longer.

Rated: ★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Pamela Raith

When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS, UK

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