EMPIRE THEATRE, LIVERPOOL – UNTIL SATURDAY 30TH APRIL 2022
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
5*****
When it comes to the Golden Era musicals, Cole Porter’s Anything Goes is the ‘Crème de la crème’. It premiered in 1934 on Broadway, has been revived several times in the United States and Britain and has been filmed three times! This musical has long been a popular choice for schools and community productions. ‘Anything Goes’ docked at the Empire Theatre this week, as part of its nation wide tour, bringing with it a sense of nostalgia. This production has a mixture of timeless songs, toe tapping choreography, a wow-factor set and a larger the life assemblage of characters.
Set on a luxury transatlantic ocean liner bound from New York to London. Junior broker, Billy Crocker (Samuel Edwards) is a stowaway, in love with sweet debutante Hope Harcourt (Nicole-Lily Baisden), who is engaged to aristocratic Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (Haydn Oakley). Evangelist-turned-singer Reno Sweeney (Kerry Ellis) and Public Enemy Number 13 Moonface Martin (Denis Lawson), aid Billy in his quest to win Hope.
Leading lady Kerry Ellis stands out as Reno Sweeney, making the intense dance routines and singing, look effortless. Supporting Ellis, is Simon Callow, as Billy’s boomingly funny boss and Yale man, Elisha and Bonnie Langford as Hope’s self absorbed and status obsessed mother, Evangeline. Samuel Edwards, as Billy and Denis Lawson as Moonface, has the audience cackling, with their mistaken identities and bad disguises. The promiscuous Erma (Carly Mercedes Dyer), Moonface’s acquaintance, brings plenty of energy and cheeky chemistry to the stage and she performs one of my favourite songs of the evening, Buddie Beware.
Derek McLane’s set design and Jon Morrell’s costumes makes you feel like you have been transported to the 30’s with their vintage stage magic. The live orchestra adds to the glitzy bygone era atmosphere.
Anything Goes is a deliriously, defiantly and de-lovely Golden Age musical, All aboard!