Cole Goes On Sale In Yorkshire!

In some ways Anything Goes is a 'borrowed' musical that is somewhere between a patchwork quilt and a beautifully laid dinner table.

Whilst originally an 'idea' that began its life in the head of Broadway producer Vinton Freedley, it subsequently became a vehicle for one of the most gifted song writers of his generation, Cole Porter.

And I say 'borrowed' because that's exactly what this production, and to some extent its forebears, does.

Anything Goes has been re-vamped more times that George Osborne's economic policy and, each time, Porter's music has either been added or removed in a way that rarely happens in more 'standard' musicals where the score - and storyline - are unquestionably fixed.

But, all said, the process has done little to diminish the popularity of Porter's eternally fresh music, held loosely together by a romantic storyline set on the SS American ocean liner.

This so-called Freedley idea came into being in 1934, a time when Prohibition had just ended, Hitler was on the rise and America's race issues were as dominants as ever; people wanted something to lift their spirits.

Anything Goes with its twee, corny dialogue - clearly given a fresh spin for 2015 audiences - was the medicine. Its resulting style - certainly in this version - borrows from Gene Kelly, Busby Berkeley, good old Mr Astaire and I could even see that former US synchronised swimmer, Esther Williams getting in on the act.

There is no denying its wonderful score with showstoppers like Anything Goes, Blow Gabriel Blow and I Get a Kick Out of You.....the list goes on.

This is a lovely show. Lovely, what the hell does that mean? It means that if you enter the auditorium with an open mind, with a desire to be entertained in a non-cerebral way, to watch some stunning dancing and to forgive outrageous puns, then you'll have a great time, no a lovely evening.

Anything Goes is full of cameo parts so, as well as being a vehicle for Porter, it is also a vehicle for the performers. Stephen Matthews as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh was the perfect, affable toff, proving his real acting skill as he transitioned into a somewhat risqué, passionate gipsy.

And Debbie Kurup as Reno Sweeney was the perfect anchor-woman, a central role that is requiring of a true all-rounder, singer, dancer and actress.

As the SS American continues its journey across the water, there's fun, mixed identities, puns aplenty and lots of titters, as one door opens and another door shuts in this Ray Cooney style US farce on water! Oh yes, and there's a happy ending!

This cast works hard and is slick, polished and tight. Astaire and Kelly were notorious for driving their co-stars into the ground such was their desire for perfection. I think they would have been proud had they been watching.

Until Saturday (7th March 2015)

Anything Goes
Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
7.30pm