REVIEW
Anything Goes
Theatre HB, Playhouse Theatre, Hastings St, Hastings Nightly until December 16, 7.30pm
Reviewed by Keith Russell
Cole Porter's score for Anything Goes is one of the most glorious in the history of American musical theatre, so combine that with Guy Bolton and P G Wodehouse's farcical romantic story aboard an ocean liner.
However, this version has been heavily revised by several other writers, it is only now after 83 years that it is finally taking its maiden trip with Theatre HB.
This is a stem-to-stern voyage of excitement that boasts spot-on casting, superb performances, adrenaline-pumping tap dancing, a bold imaginative set and clever musicianship, which results in an infectious two hours of sheer joy. All this is brought together by director Glen Pickering, set design by Michael Cooper, heart-stopping choreography by Corinne Bowey and musical direction under the control of Amanda Cooper.
As brassy 1930s occasional evangelist turned nightclub singer Reno Sweeney, Alex Richardson steps into shoes worn by others, including Ethel Merman and Elaine Paige.