REVIEW
Little Theatre Company
present
Anything Goes
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
Wed 27 - Sat 30 May 2026
Little Theatre Company
present
Anything Goes
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
Wed 27 - Sat 30 May 2026
A brilliant evening’s entertainment!
I love anything by Cole Porter and Anything Goes along with Kiss Me Kate are his very best musicals that never date. This LTC production is played in the traditional style of a show that was written in 1934. It’s a Cole Porter classic with beautiful music and clever lyrics. Every ten minutes or so there is yet another hit musical number that everyone recognises, even if they didn’t know they came from this show. It doesn’t try to be anything but good old-fashioned entertainment.
There are timeless songs like I Get a Kick Out of You, You’re the Top, It’s De-lovely and the crowd pleaser Anything Goes. This musical is a dazzling celebration of love, laughter, and tap-dancing on a ship.
Set aboard an ocean liner S.S. American, it follows the nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and her odd bunch of companions, as they sail from New York to London. Reno is in love with Billy who has stowed away to follow his heart’s desire, Hope Harcourt, sweetly played by Ellie Clarke. She meanwhile is engaged to a silly ass English lord for her mother’s sake, as they need the money. Chaos ensues; there are the usual mistaken identities, and disguises. A gangster poses as a church minister, Billy Cropper (Ewan Dunlop) played with a goofy charm, borrows a sailor’s outfit that’s too small. Full marks to the poor actor who had to get his kit off on stage. This provided one of the many laughs for the audience and, there are many added little bits of business to increase the comedy.
The staging of the ship was a big reveal and very effective. There were a few oohs as the curtains drew back.
What stands out most in this production has to be the choreography by Nicola Bott assisted by Tap Specialist, Paige Williamson. There were ensemble dance routines on a packed stage, by a large cast who were obviously enjoying themselves. Each number is slick and exciting, the transitions are smooth, and the pacing of the show is great. There is an exhilarating tap dancing triumph for the Anything Goes routine and the set piece of Blow, Gabriel, Blow is top class choreography.
There are many standout performances; Heather Smith, who looks beautiful in the costumes, ably played the lead role of Reno. She gave excellent vocal renditions of the well-known songs. She has a funny comedy duet with the gangster Moonface Martin (Tim Cater) for the song Friendship. Tim who is playing to his strengths for comedy effect, ad libbing, and having fun with the set. Ermar, his moll, played by Stephanie Paul as a sassy Mae West type, is particularly good, especially in her number Buddie, Beware. John Staines as Lord Oakleigh, is hilarious. He plays the part as a typical P G Wodehouse character, which isn’t surprising as Wodehouse co-wrote the original book. Staines’ dance routine with Reno for The Gypsy in Me brought the house down. In fact, most of the dance routines are showstoppers with colourful costumes and excellent performances.
All the songs under the musical direction of James Green are excellent. The musicians playing such a full on sound it could have been a full orchestra.
I take my hat off to the co-directors Becca Brand and Ami Roberts for their directing of such a large cast on a small stage with a deep rake.
Like most musicals of the early 20th Century musicals, there is a happy ending, all loose ends are tied up, and the characters end up with their true loves and live happily ever after.
I have seen many productions both amateur and professional and Cole Porter never fails to please. You will be sorry to miss such an excellent production, so hurry and buy tickets, as they are selling fast.
Review: Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
There are timeless songs like I Get a Kick Out of You, You’re the Top, It’s De-lovely and the crowd pleaser Anything Goes. This musical is a dazzling celebration of love, laughter, and tap-dancing on a ship.
Set aboard an ocean liner S.S. American, it follows the nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and her odd bunch of companions, as they sail from New York to London. Reno is in love with Billy who has stowed away to follow his heart’s desire, Hope Harcourt, sweetly played by Ellie Clarke. She meanwhile is engaged to a silly ass English lord for her mother’s sake, as they need the money. Chaos ensues; there are the usual mistaken identities, and disguises. A gangster poses as a church minister, Billy Cropper (Ewan Dunlop) played with a goofy charm, borrows a sailor’s outfit that’s too small. Full marks to the poor actor who had to get his kit off on stage. This provided one of the many laughs for the audience and, there are many added little bits of business to increase the comedy.
The staging of the ship was a big reveal and very effective. There were a few oohs as the curtains drew back.
What stands out most in this production has to be the choreography by Nicola Bott assisted by Tap Specialist, Paige Williamson. There were ensemble dance routines on a packed stage, by a large cast who were obviously enjoying themselves. Each number is slick and exciting, the transitions are smooth, and the pacing of the show is great. There is an exhilarating tap dancing triumph for the Anything Goes routine and the set piece of Blow, Gabriel, Blow is top class choreography.
There are many standout performances; Heather Smith, who looks beautiful in the costumes, ably played the lead role of Reno. She gave excellent vocal renditions of the well-known songs. She has a funny comedy duet with the gangster Moonface Martin (Tim Cater) for the song Friendship. Tim who is playing to his strengths for comedy effect, ad libbing, and having fun with the set. Ermar, his moll, played by Stephanie Paul as a sassy Mae West type, is particularly good, especially in her number Buddie, Beware. John Staines as Lord Oakleigh, is hilarious. He plays the part as a typical P G Wodehouse character, which isn’t surprising as Wodehouse co-wrote the original book. Staines’ dance routine with Reno for The Gypsy in Me brought the house down. In fact, most of the dance routines are showstoppers with colourful costumes and excellent performances.
All the songs under the musical direction of James Green are excellent. The musicians playing such a full on sound it could have been a full orchestra.
I take my hat off to the co-directors Becca Brand and Ami Roberts for their directing of such a large cast on a small stage with a deep rake.
Like most musicals of the early 20th Century musicals, there is a happy ending, all loose ends are tied up, and the characters end up with their true loves and live happily ever after.
I have seen many productions both amateur and professional and Cole Porter never fails to please. You will be sorry to miss such an excellent production, so hurry and buy tickets, as they are selling fast.
Review: Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
Production Photos: (c) Jon Webber @jonsphotos1
Anything Goes is a classic musical comedy with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, and a book by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay, and Russel Crouse. Set aboard the ocean liner S.S. American, the story follows nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and her misfit companions as they sail from New York to London. Reno is in love with Billy Crocker, who stows away to win the heart of debutante Hope Harcourt — despite her engagement to wealthy Lord Evelyn Oakleigh.
Chaos, mistaken identities, and hilarious disguises ensue, involving a gangster posing as a minister and a host of eccentric passengers.
Featuring timeless songs like I Get a Kick Out of You, You’re the Top, and the show-stopping Anything Goes, the musical is a dazzling celebration of love, laughter, and tap-dancing madness on the high seas.
28th May evening & 30th May matinee are signed performances and will be interpreted by Leesa Cameron (BSL Level 6)
An Amateur Production
Chaos, mistaken identities, and hilarious disguises ensue, involving a gangster posing as a minister and a host of eccentric passengers.
Featuring timeless songs like I Get a Kick Out of You, You’re the Top, and the show-stopping Anything Goes, the musical is a dazzling celebration of love, laughter, and tap-dancing madness on the high seas.
28th May evening & 30th May matinee are signed performances and will be interpreted by Leesa Cameron (BSL Level 6)
An Amateur Production
CURTAIN CALL
with choreographer, Nicola Bott, Ewan Dunlop who plays Billy Crocker and Heather Smith who plays Reno
with choreographer, Nicola Bott, Ewan Dunlop who plays Billy Crocker and Heather Smith who plays Reno
Nicola Bott
Nicola in rehearsal
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Anything Goes is packed with big, bold numbers—what’s your overall choreographic “feel” for this production?
The show in general is very funny, silly and high energy, so I’ve tried to embrace this throughout my choreography. We’ve had a lot of fun during the rehearsal process and my main aim is to leave audiences with a big smile on their face. Are you leaning more into classic Broadway style, or giving it a modern twist I’d say a bit of both. My main inspiration has been the 2021 recording from the Barbican with Sutton Foster, but I’ve also done a lot of research into 1930s styles and watched a lot of YouTube videos to get my creative juices flowing! Which number has really tested you (and the cast!) the most? Tested me? That would be Anything Goes as I’m not a natural tap dancer, but luckily I have an incredible Assistant Choreographer, Paige Williamson, who IS an expert so I’m very grateful for her support on that one! The cast? Probably Anything Goes too! It’s so fast paced and because it’s a tap number, it’s obvious if you go wrong, so we’ve had to work really hard on getting the positions, transitions and steps just right. And on the flip side—your absolute favourite routine in the show? Gosh, it’s so hard to choose. Can I have 3? I love Friendship (as it’s a bit of silly fun) Blow Gabriel Blow (as it’s a big, all-ensemble, high energy jazz number) and Gypsy In Me (as it’s a funny twist in the show and a great character piece) |
How do you get everyone looking sharp when the cast has such a mix of dance experience?
I believe effective choreography doesn’t need to be complex. Some of my favourite moments in the show would probably be considered “easy or simple”, but they look great if the moves are uniformed, sharp and interesting to look at. So essentially, practice makes perfect!
Do you perform yourself (what have you done) or do you prefer being on the other side?
I have performed, with LTC and other groups (both in Essex and in Sydney, Australia) however, I think I’m getting to a point now where I get more joy from watching and creating, rather than performing. We have so many incredibly talented people in LTC that I think I’ll leave it to them to wow our audiences.
There’s a real nostalgia to this show—how do you capture that without it feeling dated?
It’s a classic musical for a reason. All the slapstick comedy and farcical scenes are just as brilliant as when they were written. The fact that it’s recently won awards in London shows that it’s still as relevant today as back then.
Rehearsals vs performance—what changes once there’s an audience in?
Oh, everything! There’s just a palpable energy shift that’s hard to explain. Audiences don’t realise the power they have! The more feedback, laughter, clapping and whooping an audience gives, the more the characters will naturally play up to it and maybe add in an ad lib or push themselves a bit harder. When you’re rehearsing, the jokes stop being as funny (once you’ve heard them 100 times) so getting a good reaction from a live audience will literally raise the energy and the enjoyment on stage. It’s an amazing feeling.
How long have you been with Little Theatre Company, and what keeps you coming back?
Oh gosh! I’ve been with LTC for over 30 years! I did my first show when I was a child - Carousel, I think it was, and because my family were involved I just never really left! I’ve done all sorts from lighting and backstage, to playing a lead role and choreography. Live theatre is weirdly addictive.
Why should people come and see this show?
This musical is pure joy. Some brilliant characters, brilliant songs, brilliant dancing, all performed by an exceptionally talented cast. You’ll be getting a west end quality performance at an amateur price - what’s not to love!?
I believe effective choreography doesn’t need to be complex. Some of my favourite moments in the show would probably be considered “easy or simple”, but they look great if the moves are uniformed, sharp and interesting to look at. So essentially, practice makes perfect!
Do you perform yourself (what have you done) or do you prefer being on the other side?
I have performed, with LTC and other groups (both in Essex and in Sydney, Australia) however, I think I’m getting to a point now where I get more joy from watching and creating, rather than performing. We have so many incredibly talented people in LTC that I think I’ll leave it to them to wow our audiences.
There’s a real nostalgia to this show—how do you capture that without it feeling dated?
It’s a classic musical for a reason. All the slapstick comedy and farcical scenes are just as brilliant as when they were written. The fact that it’s recently won awards in London shows that it’s still as relevant today as back then.
Rehearsals vs performance—what changes once there’s an audience in?
Oh, everything! There’s just a palpable energy shift that’s hard to explain. Audiences don’t realise the power they have! The more feedback, laughter, clapping and whooping an audience gives, the more the characters will naturally play up to it and maybe add in an ad lib or push themselves a bit harder. When you’re rehearsing, the jokes stop being as funny (once you’ve heard them 100 times) so getting a good reaction from a live audience will literally raise the energy and the enjoyment on stage. It’s an amazing feeling.
How long have you been with Little Theatre Company, and what keeps you coming back?
Oh gosh! I’ve been with LTC for over 30 years! I did my first show when I was a child - Carousel, I think it was, and because my family were involved I just never really left! I’ve done all sorts from lighting and backstage, to playing a lead role and choreography. Live theatre is weirdly addictive.
Why should people come and see this show?
This musical is pure joy. Some brilliant characters, brilliant songs, brilliant dancing, all performed by an exceptionally talented cast. You’ll be getting a west end quality performance at an amateur price - what’s not to love!?
Nicola in rehearsal with the cast
Ewan Dunlop
Ewan in rehearsal
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Billy Crocker is at the heart of the story—how would you describe him as a character?
Billy is a really cheeky, yet determined, wall street broker - who decides to follow his heart and risk everything by stowing away aboard the SS American. What made you want to audition for this role in Anything Goes? I auditioned for Billy because he goes on such a wild journey throughout the show. He wears numerous disguises to hide from his boss and the ship's crew, and gets into lots of trouble - but he also has some beautiful love songs where he shows a deeper emotional side to himself. How have you prepared for playing such a charming and fast-talking character? Our rehearsal process has been so fun and freeing, that I've really been able to experiment and get comfortable with Billy's quick witted nature. What’s been the biggest challenge in bringing Billy to life? Balancing the soft and caring side of Billy with his cheeky outspoken side has taken some nuance, but I feel very comfortable now showing that journey that Billy takes. Do you have a favourite scene or song in the show? My favourite song is All Through the Night as it's a really touching moment where we get to see how much Billy and hope love each other even when they're apart. |
How would you describe Billy’s relationships with Reno and Hope?
I suppose the relationship between the three of them is complicated! Billy is so lucky having a great friend in Reno, who loves him so much that she'll help him chase after another woman! As for Hope, it's a classic forbidden romance where they clearly love each other, but hope isn't allowed to be with him.
What has it been like working with the cast and creative team on this production?
It's been such a blast working with the cast and creative team on this production, it's such a funny show with constant laughs, and the rehearsal process has been the same. It's been nice seeing everyone really making the most of each moment and bringing the piece to life.
How long have you been part of Little Theatre Company, and what first got you involved?
I have been a member of LTC since 2023, and I joined through one of my best mates, John Staines - who doing a hilarious job playing Lord Evelyn Oakley in this production.
Tell us about other roles you've played in the past, and do you have a favourite?
I had a fantastic time as a member of the ensemble in both Made in Dagenham, and Elf, but my favourite role has to be Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, as it was such a beautiful show for everyone involved.
What can audiences expect from this production, and why should they come along?
Our audience can expect some big jazzy show numbers, lots of laughs, and some delovely vocals throughout the show. They should come along if they're looking for a fun, uplifting night out, that they will dance home smiling from.
I suppose the relationship between the three of them is complicated! Billy is so lucky having a great friend in Reno, who loves him so much that she'll help him chase after another woman! As for Hope, it's a classic forbidden romance where they clearly love each other, but hope isn't allowed to be with him.
What has it been like working with the cast and creative team on this production?
It's been such a blast working with the cast and creative team on this production, it's such a funny show with constant laughs, and the rehearsal process has been the same. It's been nice seeing everyone really making the most of each moment and bringing the piece to life.
How long have you been part of Little Theatre Company, and what first got you involved?
I have been a member of LTC since 2023, and I joined through one of my best mates, John Staines - who doing a hilarious job playing Lord Evelyn Oakley in this production.
Tell us about other roles you've played in the past, and do you have a favourite?
I had a fantastic time as a member of the ensemble in both Made in Dagenham, and Elf, but my favourite role has to be Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, as it was such a beautiful show for everyone involved.
What can audiences expect from this production, and why should they come along?
Our audience can expect some big jazzy show numbers, lots of laughs, and some delovely vocals throughout the show. They should come along if they're looking for a fun, uplifting night out, that they will dance home smiling from.
Ewan in rehearsal
Heather Smith
Heather in rehearsal with some of the cast
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Reno Sweeney—iconic, glamorous, and a bit of a powerhouse! What drew you to her?
She seemed really fun and carefree, I like that she has a bit of a storyline with a few other main characters but not tied down to the main love story, it’s all very light and fun. She comes in sings a few big numbers and saunters off again! How would you sum up your version of Reno in three words? Warm, confident, unserious She’s got some absolute showstoppers—do you have a favourite number to perform? Yes! Blow Gabriel, Blow is my faaaave! Reno’s confidence is sky-high, but there’s more to her than that—how have you approached her layers? In musical theatre scripts there’s sometimes less breathing room to dwell on thoughts and feelings unless it’s told through song, so your character goes on a quicker emotional journey. I’ve just tried to differentiate as much as possible how Reno feels in certain situations to give her some light and shade. she plays a lot off with humour which I think is interesting. What’s been the biggest challenge of taking on such a well-known role? The imposter syndrome of wondering whether you’re doing or saying it all the lines and singing the songs in the right way, how the audience would want to see her to get maximum enjoyment from the show. |
Tell us about the rehearsal process—have there been any “this is harder than I thought!” moments?
Rehearsal process has been great, I got the character shoes in early to practice dancing and walking around in heels which helped massively!! We covered a lot of the big dance numbers early on too so they’ve been able to sit in my muscle memory for longer so I can focus on the singing which has been a challenge to not sound out so out of breath!!
Chemistry is key in this show—what’s it been like working with your Billy and the rest of the cast?
I've done quite a few shows with most of the cast now so we’ve built a natural on stage chemistry over the years and are all pretty comfortable, we know each others approach and have a a lot of trust in each other when it comes to the common goal of making it the best show possible. Helps that everyone’s lovely too!!
Are there any aspects to Reno that you see in yourself which has helped to portray her?
She uses sarcastic humour quite a lot of the time which I can relate to.
How long have you been part of Little Theatre Company, and what roles have stood out for you over the years?
3.5 years now - I absolutely loved being Rita O’Grady in Made in Dagenham she was an iconic role I’d love to do again one day! And doing the Hunchback of Notre Dame was a really special show, the music is incredible!
Why do you think Anything Goes still gets audiences tapping their feet all these years later?
The story is timeless, it’s fun and doesn’t take itself seriously at all. The music is iconic; written by the genius Cole Porter and many numbers covered by huge music artists over the years like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Michael Buble.
Rehearsal process has been great, I got the character shoes in early to practice dancing and walking around in heels which helped massively!! We covered a lot of the big dance numbers early on too so they’ve been able to sit in my muscle memory for longer so I can focus on the singing which has been a challenge to not sound out so out of breath!!
Chemistry is key in this show—what’s it been like working with your Billy and the rest of the cast?
I've done quite a few shows with most of the cast now so we’ve built a natural on stage chemistry over the years and are all pretty comfortable, we know each others approach and have a a lot of trust in each other when it comes to the common goal of making it the best show possible. Helps that everyone’s lovely too!!
Are there any aspects to Reno that you see in yourself which has helped to portray her?
She uses sarcastic humour quite a lot of the time which I can relate to.
How long have you been part of Little Theatre Company, and what roles have stood out for you over the years?
3.5 years now - I absolutely loved being Rita O’Grady in Made in Dagenham she was an iconic role I’d love to do again one day! And doing the Hunchback of Notre Dame was a really special show, the music is incredible!
Why do you think Anything Goes still gets audiences tapping their feet all these years later?
The story is timeless, it’s fun and doesn’t take itself seriously at all. The music is iconic; written by the genius Cole Porter and many numbers covered by huge music artists over the years like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Michael Buble.
Heather and the cast in rehearsal