High Society, The Old Vic ★★★★★

Below is our preview giving background information about the show. Click here to read our High Society review.

Well did you evah? What a swell party this this!

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 to 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. The luxurious set sails you away to a golden age of musicals - and even recreates 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 'Let's Misbehave' 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 bratty but secretly soft-hearted Tracey. There's big shoes to fill for the Old Vic cast.

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

Kate Fleetwood (Rupert Goold's wife) plays 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 she was Tony-nominated for her portrayal of Lady Macbeth at Chichester Festival Theatre, which won transfers to the West End and Broadway. Playing Tracey's ex-husband, smoothie jazz musician C.K Dexter, is Rupert 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 is Maria Freidman, a bastion of British musical theatre, with three Oliviers and four more nominations to her name. Having carved out a 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.