High Society review: Helen George and Felicity Kendal throw the party of the season

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A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Throughout the history of musical theatre, certain creative teams have become legendary – think Rodgers and Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, or Kander and Ebb. More recently, a new and exciting collaboration has emerged: composer Cole Porter and the Barbican Theatre.

In 2021, the Barbican Centre brought back the classic 1934 musical Anything Goes, featuring the acclaimed Sutton Foster. Then, in 2024, they staged another Cole Porter musical, the upbeat Kiss Me Kate, with TV actor Adrien Dunbar and Broadway star Stephanie J Block. Our team at TopMob gave that production a five-star review.

The Barbican is presenting another fantastic revival of Cole Porter’s work, featuring a stellar cast, and it’s a welcome treat!

Now, it’s High Society’s turn! This musical is based on the play and later the movie The Philadelphia Story, famous for its songs by Cole Porter and starring Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby. The stage musical version first debuted on Broadway in 1998, with a script written by Arthur Kopit.

I absolutely adore this show! It centers around Tracy Lord, a stunning but somewhat cold socialite, who’s about to marry a perfectly nice, but rather bland, accountant named George. Just when things seem set, her incredibly charming ex-husband, Dexter, unexpectedly arrives! Then, to make things even more interesting, two reporters show up pretending to be something they’re not. It all adds up to two and a half hours of pure, delightful silliness, and the music is so catchy – you’ll be tapping your feet the whole time!

This musical is a delightful, fast-paced comedy filled with dazzling dance numbers, clever dialogue, and plenty of mistaken identities. It’s a classic example of Golden Age entertainment, but it also has a surprising emotional core, honestly exploring themes like addiction and personal reflection beneath all the fun and laughter.

Okay, so the middle part of the show does get a little messy, and honestly, the songs they added in later don’t really move the story forward. But honestly? It’s such a charming show overall that I found myself not caring about those little issues at all. It’s just so delightful, any complaints just faded away.

The actors brilliantly convey the play’s subtle complexities, especially Felicity Kendal, who is wonderfully funny, Nigel Lindsay, who is delightfully mischievous, and the captivating Freddie Fox. Fox is particularly impressive as Mike, making it hard to believe this is his first musical theatre role.

Helen George, known for Call the Midwife, gives a wonderful performance as Tracy, portraying her as both reserved and yearning. While other actresses like Sutton Foster and Stephanie J Block have set a very high bar in past productions, George brings a compelling mix of strength, emotional depth, and genuinely funny moments to the role. Her strong, clear singing voice is perfectly suited to Cole Porter’s music.

Beyond the strong acting, Tom Rogers’s beautiful set design truly transports the audience to the wealthy Lord’s stunning waterfront home, from the impressive entrance hall to the cleverly illuminated pool. Like other successful shows at the Barbican, this production features a spectacular set reveal – we won’t spoil the surprise, you’ll have to see it for yourself!

Jon Morrell’s fantastic costumes, expertly timed physical comedy, and clever visual jokes all come together to create a performance that’s completely captivating.

Anthony Van Laast, the choreographer behind the Barbican’s production of Kiss Me, Kate, deserves recognition too. Those who saw his incredible take on “Too Darn Hot” in 2024 might be wondering if he could top it – and he absolutely does, with the dazzling Now You Have Jazz, featuring a fantastic performance by Nigel Lindsay.

This sparkling production is the third successful Cole Porter revival at the Barbican, and it’s a delightful treat! It’s exactly the kind of lighthearted entertainment London theatre needs more of. We’re already looking forward to the next revival – perhaps Can-Can or Silk Stockings?

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When and where can I see High Society?

High Society is currently showing at the Barbican Theatre and will run until Saturday 11 June.

How to get High Society tickets

Tickets for High Society are available at TodayTix and London Theatre Direct. Both websites are currently offering discounts, with prices starting at just £30!

Authors

Joanna Magill

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2026-06-04 16:35