By Ally Mullord
The Showbiz Auckland production of Anything Goes is a polished, professional and flirtatious romp through Cole Porter’s classic musical.
The show is a classic tale of boy-meets-girl-meets-cruise liner, with the enchanting Jackie Clarke propelling the show along as glamorous nightclub singer Reno Sweeney.
Clarke is without a doubt the star of the show, but award-winning Aussie performer Tyran Parke held his own as Billy Crocker – their duet ‘You’re The Top’ is a highlight of the first half.
Set on board the SS American, Anything Goes follows the ship’s progress from New York to London as stowaway Billy tries to woo dithering debutate Hope Harcourt (Delwynne Winter) away from her less than suave British fiancé, Lord Evelyn Oakley (Richard Neame).
In the background, wanted criminal ‘Moonface’ Martin (Nigel Godfrey) is attempting to cross the Atlantic disguised as a priest and Billy’s boss, Elisha J. Whitney (Ray Woolf) tries to drunkenly woo the mother of the bride.
Director Grant Meese has created a fun, sexy and high-energy show, grounded in a strong ensemble cast who ensured the title song was the highlight of the night.
Polished vocals, accomplished dance routines and savvy casting choices elevated the production, which was imbued with a sense of joy and tongue-in-cheek characterisation.
The show triumphed in its lighter moments - Clarke and Neame combined polished vocals with perfect comic timing for the duet ‘Gypsy In Me’, keeping theatre-goers giggling throughout, and comedy in dialogue was also well-pitched with the best laughs coming from Neame’s bumbling Lord Oakley and Godfrey as haphazard mobster ‘Moonface’ Martin.
The show lost some momentum in its more serious moments – particularly those between Parke and Winter, whose pairing lacked energy and struggled to create atmosphere during ‘You’d Be So Easy to Love’ and ‘De-Lovely’.
Some of the dialogue has dated slightly but this was neatly handled by Meese with a generous dash of humour, particularly the unlucky Chinese converts.
Praise is also due to the orchestra, who sat perched atop the magnificent set throughout and gave a tight, stylish performance under the baton of Penny Dodd, including a brazen and brilliant trumpet feature in ‘Blow, Gabriel, Blow’.
Costume designer Alf Weston brought neat tailoring and nautical flair to the production with coherent and clever costuming throughout.
A sparkling, high-energy performance that celebrates excess, luxury and the frivolities of cruise liner life, Anything Goes is a delightful show not to be missed.
Anything Goes is at Auckland’s Civic Theatre until October 22.
3 News