Freddie Fox to make musical theatre debut in HIGH SOCIETY this summer as full cast announced
Photo credit: Dan Kennedy
Full casting has been announced today for “this year’s guaranteed gem” (Metro), a dazzling new production of “Cole Porter’s musical masterpiece” (Heart FM) HIGH SOCIETY, revealing an exciting line-up of stars from both stage and screen set to join the company.
From the producers of Cole Porter’s Anything Goes and Kiss Me Kate, the highly anticipated run at the Barbican Theatre opens on 19 May for a limited eight-week season, followed by a major 20-week UK & Ireland tour.
Starring alongside the previously announced Helen George and Felicity Kendal will be Freddie Fox (Slow Horses, House of the Dragon) as the charismatic and unpredictable Mike Connor, Julian Ovenden (Downton Abbey, Bridgerton) as the suave sophisticated Dexter Haven, Carly Mercedes Dyer (Anything Goes, A Chorus Line) as the sharp-witted Liz, Nigel Lindsay (Mobland, The Capture) as Uncle Willie, and Malcolm Sinclair (Pie in the Sky) as Seth Lord, completing the star-studded line-up of this dazzling must-see musical event of the summer.
This sumptuous new production is brought to life by an multi-award winning creative team, including renowned director Rachel Kavanaugh and legendary choreographer Anthony Van Laast, with musical supervision by Stephen Ridley leading a full orchestra. Audiences will be immersed in a dazzling world of champagne-sparkled evenings, razor-sharp comedy, and the timeless sophistication of Cole Porter in one of the great classic musicals of all time.
Freddie Fox makes his West End musical theatre debut in High Society marking an exciting new chapter in a career that already spans acclaimed TV roles, as well as work behind the camera as a director and producer. He 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.”
The cast for this new production of the beloved Cole Porter musical is completed by 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.
Producer Sir 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.”
With music and lyrics by Cole Porter and a book by Arthur Kopit, this glittering new production promises a heady cocktail of romance, wit, mistaken identity and irresistible musical charm. Featuring Porter classics such as ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’, ‘I Love Paris’, ‘Well Did You Evah?’, ‘Just One Of Those Things’, ‘Let’s Misbehave’, ‘You’re Sensational’, and the swooningly romantic ‘True Love’, HIGH SOCIETY is the unmissable musical event of the year.
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.