High Society, The Old Vic

Welcome to the lavish world of an Oyster Bay wedding: stunning socialite Tracey Lord is set to marry for a second time, but the heady sway of jazz and sparkles of champagne can't gloss over the disruption as the bride's ex husband, suave jazz musician C.K. Dexter turns up to win her back. Then, to add the the chaos, tabloid hack Mike Skinner also starts to fall for Tracey's charms. This shimmering story of heartache and the high life will be staged in the round so you won't miss a moment of the hi-jinks. We're expecting a luxurious set that will sail us away to a golden age of musicals - and maybe even recreate the True Love, the honeymooners' yacht.

High Society: movie and musical

The musical is based on the 1939 play, The Philadelphia Story, with music and lyrics by legendary composer Cole Porter. Tipsy duets such as 'Did you evah' and 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' are mingled with the more poignant the 'I love you, Samantha' and'True Love', while ensemble numbers 'Now You Has Jazz' and the titular 'High Society Calypso' bring bursts of orchestral energy.

The Hollywood film starred musical megastars Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra (rumour has it that Sinatra only accepted the role so he could duet with his crooning childhood idol). Grace Kelly was enchanting as a spoilt but secretly soft-hearted Tracey. The cast for this stage revival is yet to be announced, but one thing's for sure: there's big shoes to fill.

Cast High Society: Kate Fleetwood, Rupert Young, Jamie Parker

Kate Fleetwood (Rupert Goold's wife) will play the glamorous but spoilt Tracey Lord. She's no stranger to big stage musicals; Fleetwood was nominated for an Olivier for her role in Rufus Norris' London Road, and was Tony-nominated of r, and also appeared in the blockbuster movie version of Les Misérables. Playing her ex-husband, smoothie jazz musician C.K Dexter isRupert Young (Dr Who), who's best known for his role in BBC drama Merlin.The romantic rival, journalist Mike Connor is played by Jamie Parker, another experienced stage star most recognisable as Scripps from the original stage then screen version of Alan Bennett's The History Boys.

Maria Friedman: singer, actor, director

At the helm of this production Maria Freidman, a bastion of British musical theatre, with three Oliviers and four more nominations to her name. Having carved out such prestigious career as a performer, Friedman has shown herself to be just as talented working backstage; her debut project as director, Merrily We Roll Along, was lauded as 'superb' and 'astonishing' by critic Michael Billington. Certainly her vast experience of performing in musicals makes Friedman more than capable of creating all the charm and verve of High Society on the Old Vic stage.

30 Apr 2015 – 22 Aug 2015, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
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