Woodseats Musical Theatre Company’s Anything Goes – 9 July 2025, Montgomery Theatre
Review by Claire Taranaski.
It’s been a couple of years since Woodseats Musical Theatre Company have performed their annual musical, and we have missed them, but in this their 100th anniversary year they have returned at possibly their best yet with a production of the much loved Cole Porter musical that is delightful, delectable and delovely.
I have often rightly said that show cast members would not be out of place in the West End but with this show we are going even higher with Annie Chadwick as Reno Sweeney would not be out of place as the lead in the Broadway production. She is musical theatre perfection and just had that special star quality from her dazzling smile and stage presence that meant you could never take your eyes off her, the moves, the voice, the charm, old school glamour and superb believable chemistry with everyone she performs with. her vocals on tracks fans of the musical love kicking off with “I Get A Kick Out Of You” make you wish the company would realise a cast recording but then you would miss out on her visual performance.
I could really make a whole review about Anne but in a show full of superb performances their are many more to mention. Joe Pickin as male lead Billy Crocker had the charisma, charm and comedic reminiscence of Tommy Steele in “Half A Sixpence”. He would not be out of place in a nationwide tour of the show and had superb chemistry with all of his co-stars and makes it easy to believe all of the women would fall over each other for him. His onboard love interest, other then Reno, Hope Harcourt was performed beautifully by the old school Hollywood like Evie Tooley who my friend couldn’t help whispering in my ear “her voice is beautiful” during “All Through The Night”.
Anything Goes cleverly combines romance with heaps of comedy and whilst a lot of this comedy comes from those already mentioned it is supported with great comedic skill and timing by all of the other characters but especially Drew Emerson as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh who was the stereotype of an early 20th century loveable British titled bachelor having his moment to shine with “The Gypsy In Me”; Peter Krajewski as 13th most wanted public enemy Moonface Martin whose comic timing was a masterclass in the cabin scene and who more than held his own against Anne in their duet “Friendship”; Jessica Brandao as Erma who after “Buddie Beware” needs a full musical of her own; Mary Newey as Evangeline Harcourt who was truly fabulous as Hope’s overbearing mother but who at her heart, like Andrew Coan as Billy’s boss just wanted to be loved, to be financially secure and find their dogs / glasses (congratulations to the props team); and last but not least Krystina Robinson and Khalisah Smith as Spit and Dippy whose comic double act I would love to see return in this year’s panto season.
The choreography is clever, sharp and entertaining throughout not just in the duets of “Friendship” and “The Gypsy In Me” but the full ensemble numbers, finding ways to showcase a large number of people on a small stage in both the fabulous “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” (did anyone else want to stand up and confess a sin) and at the end of act one in “Anything Goes”, which gave the tap dancers in the ensemble their moment to shine whilst also celebrating the dance talents of everyone else, with seamless entrances and exits throughout.
We can’t name names in the production crew and back stage as sadly the programmes had not arrived for opening night (hopeful they will arrive in time for the remaining evenings) but I must heap praise on the director and choreographer for bringing this Cole Porter classic to life, making use of the stage and bringing the best out of your great cast; everyone involved in wardrobe for multiple fabulous costume changes and for hair and make up for multiple glamourous 1930s looks.
The orchestra conducted by Dominic Ridler (who got his moment in the spotlight during “Friendship”) shone throughout from the first notes of the “Overture” got us all in the right mood for the evening. Without naming names we also spotted another of our musical theatre favourites in there proving he’s just as talented a musician as a performer. The orchestra and the musical director brought out the best is the performers not just in the numbers we know and love but in a range of genres with special mention to the Captain, Purser and sailors in the operatic “There Will Always Be A Lady Fair”.
This production is “the top” and should not be missed by fans of the 90 year old musical which is still as wonderfully funny and charming as when it was first performed, the company who are “the top” in their centenary year and musical theatre fans in general who need to tick this one off their list.
