Press Release

One of the best loved Broadway musicals of all time, Cole Porter's sophisticated musical comedy Anything Goes sails into the Crescent Theatre steered confidently by From the Top for a fun-filled evening of fabulous songs, dazzling dance and irresistible humour.

Step aboard the SS American for a comic confection of mistaken identities, hilarious confusion and glorious chaos! Awash with some of Cole Porter's best loved songs including You're the Top, I Get a Kick Out of You, It's De-Lovely, All Through the Night and Anything Goes this intoxicating tale features five-star performances, wonderful sets and glittering costumes.

 

 

 

I got a kick out of amateur show's professional finish

Wednesday, October 08, 2008,

Sutton Coldfield Observer

Cole Porter's classic Anything Goes sailed into the Crescent Theatre Birmingham with a full crew of starring performances and a cargo load of fun, thanks to Sutton Coldfield-based From The Top theatre company.

This was an amateur production in the making, but a professional one in the performance, as the applause at the end testified.

The show follows the SS American, on route from New York to England, and the antics of its many eccentric passengers.

On board is gangster Moonface Martin (Paul Wescott), his 'floozy' sidekick Erma (Trish Brookes) wealthy debutante Hope Harcourt (Louise Blackburn),  her fiance and wealthy Lord, Evelyn Oakleigh (Rich Greene) her mother Evangeline (Mary Dodd), nightclub singer Reno Sweeny (Debbie Crump), wealthy New York businessman Elisha Witney (Peter Dent) and his stowaway assistant Billy Crocker (Mike Fleming).

Billy boards the ship with a stolen passport, determined to win the heart of long-lost love Hope.

But she is engaged to Lord Oakleigh and is due to tie the knot with him on board. Meanwhile, Reno falls for the well-spoken Lord and hatches a plot to seduce him, leaving Hope free to marry Billy. After a series of comedy happenings, Moonface escapes the long arm of the law, Evangeline maintains her social status.... and the girls get their guys.

The cast were well-rehearsed and knew their characters well, and despite a few gremlins in the microphones, and slow scene changeovers, they were convincing and a pleasure to watch.

Support cast, in the form of dancers and singers – all taking on the roles of sailors and passengers – were energetic and kept in time and it was obvious to all that they enjoyed the show, as much as they hoped their audience would.

The costumes and scenery were very well thought-out and the singing was always excellent.

Familiar songs such as Anything Goes, I Get a Kick Out Of You and It's De-Lovely certainly got the feet tapping along, and From The Top's ability to portray humour got laughs in all the right places.

A few of the cast would be right at home touring in national productions, in particular Debbie Crump, who was also the show's choreographer, and Paul Wescott, who proved a firm favourite with the audience despite his bad-boy role.

All in all, this show had a winning formula, and I would buy a ticket to board that ship again.