Freddie Fox will make his musical theatre debut in the highly anticipated new production of the classic Cole Porter musical High Society at London’s Barbican next month.
A member of one of Britain’s most distinguished acting dynasties, the star of hit shows Slow Horses and House of the Dragon, Fox will play charismatic reporter Mike Connor in the production which is due to play the Barbican from 19 May to 11 July.
Looking forward to his latest role, Fox said: “I couldn’t be more excited to be making my musical theatre debut in High Society at the Barbican Theatre. It’s the realisation of a boyhood dream for me, and I can’t wait to dive into this world, the music and the sheer joy of Cole Porter.”
Fox will appear alongside the previously announced Helen George (The King and I, Company) as socialite Tracy Lord alongside Felicity Kendal (The Good Life, Anything Goes) as her mother.
Directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, the production will also mark the musical theatre return of Julian Ovenden (South Pacific, Downton Abbey) as Tracy’s debonair ex-husband Dexter Haven. Commenting on his genre return, Ovenden said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be returning to musical theatre; there’s nothing quite like the energy of a live audience and this show is pure delight from start to finish.”
The principal cast is completed by Carly Mercedes Dyer (Anything Goes, A Chorus Line) as the sharp-witted reporter Liz, Nigel Lindsay (Kiss Me, Kate, Shrek The Musical) as absent-minded host Uncle Willie and Malcolm Sinclair (My Fair Lady, By Jeeves) as Tracy’s father, Seth Lord.
Choreographed by Anthony Van Laast with musical supervision by Stephen Ridley leading a full orchestra, the lavish production’s cast also includes Naomi Pacquette, David Seadon-Young, James Hume, Bethany Adamson, David Austin-Barnes, Jabari Braham, George Bray, Andrew Coshan, Jordan Crouch, Frances Dee, Aaron Elijah, Tosca Fischer, Jacob Fisher, Heather Jackson, Aoife Kenny, Nell Martin, Isabel Snaas, Thomas Inge, Robin Kent, Imogen Bailey and Lucy Rice.
Announcing the cast, producer Howard Panter said: “High Society is a musical that sparkles with wit, romance and sheer theatrical joy, and we’re absolutely thrilled that the extraordinary talented actors Freddie Fox, Julian Ovenden, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Nigel Lindsay and Malcolm Sinclair will be joining Helen George and Felicity Kendal at the Barbican this summer. Alongside the rest of our fabulous cast, each of these performers brings a unique brilliance, charisma and musicality that will truly capture the glamour and sophistication of this beloved Cole Porter musical for London audiences from May onwards.”
The creative team also includes set designer Tom Rogers, sound designer Adam Fisher, lighting designer Howard Hudson, costume designer Jon Morrell and wigs designer Helen Keane.
The production will play a strictly limited eight-week season in London before embarking on a 20-week UK and Ireland tour, launching at the Wycombe Swan, with George remaining in the starring role.
Based on Philip Barry’s 1939 play The Philadelphia Story and the 1956 movie musical High Society, the stage musical which debuted on Broadway in 1998 features music and lyrics by Cole Porter, a book by Arthur Kopit and additional lyrics by Susan Birkenhead.
Angela Thomas
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