Review: High Society, UK Tour, at Lowry, Salford

The Barbican's summer show for 2026, following Kiss Me Kate two years ago, is another show packed with Cole Porter tunes. In fact, it is the third Cole Porter musical revived at the Barbican in 5 years, starting from Anything Goes in 2021. 

High Society, based on the Grace Kelly-led 1956 film of the same name, (which in turn was adapted from 1939 comedy The Philadelphia Story), was adapted for the stage in 1997, stuffed with not only the songs from the film, but more from the Cole Porter catalogue. So, it is essentially a Cole Porter jukebox musical. When it was adapted for the stage, it wasn't received very well, but did star a young Anna Kendrick as younger sister Dinah, even getting a Tony nomination for it. The good news, is that High Society has been received much better in the UK over the years - we shall see how this fares at awards season. 

And now, like Anything Goes, High Society is out on tour across the country

It's 1938, and very wealthy socialite Tracy Samantha Lord is about to get married

This is set to be the society wedding of the year; however, the day before her wedding, Tracy's ex-husband Dexter Haven shows up. As if that wasn't awkward enough, we have two reporters infiltrating the wedding and a LOT of champagne. What follows is hilarity, mix-ups, glamour, frolicking in the swimming pool of bubbles, and Tracy wondering if she is doing the right thing...

Like I said, this is full of Cole Porter classics such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Let's Misbehave and You're Sensational sound fantastic with this 12-piece live band you can see play in the pit, hitting you with this wall of sound in the Overture. The members of that band who go on stage to be the Jazz Band for the Act 1 finale Now You Have Jazz really brings you into a rollicking 1930s party, wanting you to be dancing and swigging champagne onstage yourselves. 

As well as fabulous music, you would expect big chorography and stunning costumes. High Society excels on both, with the ensemble exuding glamour as they twirl and Charleston across the floor in satin gowns. 

This production is lead by Helen George, a great fit for Tracy Lord

As anyone who has seen George in Call The Midwife knows that she can do a glamourous woman exuding wealth and upper-class privilege with insecurity underneath. I found out she could sing seeing her in The King and I, and this style of song really suits her. 

It also, surprisingly well, suits Freddie Fox, who is making his musical theatre debut as Mike Connor, played in the film by Frank Sinatra, and Julian Ovenden (South Pacific) who as Dexter knew all the right buttons to push as far as his ex-wife goes. Both suitors had a lot of charisma and humour, especially in the well known Well, Did You Evah. 

For the rest of the supporting cast, Nigel Lindsay brought many a drunken antic as Uncle Willie, Naomi Pacquette as baby sister Dinah bringing all the sass and being the voice of reason, and Josefina Gabrielle (NINE) as Mother Lord trying to keep everything together. Biases aside, because I love everything she does, my favourite number came from Carly Mercedes-Dyer (Singin' in the Rain) as Liz Imbrie. Her performance of I've Got You Under My Skin showed me what a great song it was. As well as sounding utterly gorgeous, I truly believe she is one of the finest stage actresses of this generation. 

If you are looking for a bit of comedy to help ease you into the chillier autumn nights, then I think you will really enjoy High Society. I went into this looking for lovely costumes, a silly comedy with mistaken identity, great songs, and to have a good time. 

High Society is exactly what it says on the tin; truly a Swelegant, Elegant Party. Its run at Lowry ends on 3rd October, before continuing its tour, ending in November.