Show-stopping.
Anything Goes, a classic and statement musical that has a special place in the hearts of theatre kids everywhere.
So you can only understand my excitement when I received an email with the opportunity to see the launch of its UK and Irish tour over in London.
The show has done its run on the West End and is heading to theatres across the UK and Ireland before making another return to London.
Hosted by none other than Bonnie Langford and Simon Callow, the stage at The Arts Club in Mayfair was simple and eloquent, much like the show itself.
Only giving us a taste of what’s to come when the show comes to Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, we were treated to some stunningly beautiful performances and even more beautiful food.
Revealing our dinner time Cabaret, Bonnie said: “We want to invite you to a unique event, the Anything Goes cabaret.”
Simon added: “A once in a lifetime event, never seen before on any stage, a distillation of one of the greatest musical shows ever written.”
In between each course of our meal, the cast provided the entertainment. A toned down and simplified version of the real thing, their voices alone did the work for them.
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Each one was just as powerful as the last, Kerry Ellis, Samuel Edwards and Carly Mercedes Dyer were perfectly cast, they really had no trouble gaining and keeping our attention.
Speaking about the history of the show, Simon said: “Cole Porter composed and wrote his own lyrics. Anything Goes was his biggest hit up to that time, he was already 43 and the show was put together by the producer who decided on an unusual procedure to hire the cast before the creative team.
“In fact, he lied to the book writers, P.G. Wodehouse and Guy Bolton, that he had got the great Ethel Merman. Only when they’d all signed on, did he actually approach Merman.”
By the time the final performance came, the audience was itching to hear the title number, Anything Goes. Or at least I know I was.
Closing the show with a bang, they went all out with costumes and backing dancers as Kerry Ellis performed alongside the iconic sailors.
Truly proving she was the perfect fit for this role, she tap-danced to a close while belting out some of Broadway’s most notable hits.
The night was full of glitz, glam and great food and drinks, a special evening for what I’m sure will be an extraordinary show.
Anything Goes is coming to Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from May 18 – 28, 2022.
