review of
Anything Goes
"Cole Porter is considered to be one of America's greatest. Up until now, however, I had been aware of Anything Goes, but had yet to experience it for myself.
Asking around, there didn't seem to be an overwhelming amount of enthusiasm for it. Having seen Porthill Players' interpretation of it, though, I can't understand why.
The plot revolves around luxury liner the SS American, and the many stow-away passengers; each of whom are not exactly who they appear to be. Essentially, Anything Goes is a farce, which can initially be off-putting to a lot of potential theatre-goers; myself included.
However, by the time You're The Top came around, I found my toe tapping begrudgingly along – and by the end of Friendship, I had realised that this was a highly enjoyable show. And everyone in the audience seemed to be totally mesmerised by Laura Harvey, as sassy and evangelist, Reno Sweeney, pictured. Not only is she an impressive singer and actress, she can tap with confidence and aplomb – and perform atop a table without a single wobble.
The comedic timing of James Dawe as Lord Oakleigh and John Stone as gangster Moonface Martin was spot-on and the whole-ensemble pieces (particularly the title number) were skilfully put together.
This is not a deep and meaningful play that will leave you pondering – it is a good old-fashioned, all-singing, all-dancing musical which appears to have stood the test of time, despite it being a geriatric 75-years-old. Now, where are my tap shoes..?"
Victoria Power - Sentinel
Newspaper
21 May 2009
preview of
Anything Goes
"The good ship Anything Goes is 75 years old this year and there's life in the old tub yet.
In fact it's one of the few Broadway shows of the 1930s that can still delight an audience after three-quarters of a century.
The frothy tale of madcap antics aboard an ocean liner sailing from New York to London remains steadfastly afloat thanks to the songwriting genius of Cole Porter.
Who could resist a musical with a score that includes I Get a Kick Out Of You, You're The Top and De-Lovely, not to mention a title number that's pure Porter.
Next week the show is revived by Porthill Players, with Jonathan Fernyhough directing solo for the first time.
"Last year I was lucky enough to have Caroline Keen as my co-director for Oklahoma!, but this time I'm on my own," he said.
"But I have the deck of a ship as a backdrop, and once I'd assembled the cast that I wanted, the waters lying ahead for us seemed decidedly calmer."
The SS American has some interesting passengers on board: stowaway Billy Crocker is in love with heiress Hope Harcourt, who is engaged to wealthy English aristocrat Lord Evelyn Oakleigh.
America's Public Enemy No 13, Moonface Martin, is also making the trip, along with nightclub singer Reno Sweeney, and they try to help Billy in his quest to win Hope.
In the new production, Carl Pilato is Billy, with Becci Williams as Hope, Laura Harvey as Reno, John Stone as Moonface and James Dawe as Lord Oakleigh.
"My main aim was to bring out the story, by Guy Bolton and PG Wodehouse, which has tended to be sidelined in favour of the amazing score," said Jonathan.
"It's a flimsy story but there's always something happening aboard this crazy ship and all the ingredients are there for an irresistible romantic comedy set on the high seas.
"We have a company of 30 accompanied by a seven-piece band ready to rattle out those Cole Porter classics."
Sentinel
Newspaper
15 May 2009
