FREDDIE FOX, JULIAN OVENDEN,
NIGEL LINDSAY & MALCOLM SINCLAIR
TO STAR ALONGSIDE
HELEN GEORGE
IN MAJOR 2026 UK & IRELAND TOUR OF
“COLE PORTER’S MUSICAL MASTERPIECE”
HIGH SOCIETY
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Book by Arthur Kopit
Additional Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead
Based on the play “The Philadelphia Story” by Philip Barry
28 July – 1 August
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM HIGHSOCIETYMUSICAL.COM
NIGEL LINDSAY & MALCOLM SINCLAIR
TO STAR ALONGSIDE
HELEN GEORGE
IN MAJOR 2026 UK & IRELAND TOUR OF
“COLE PORTER’S MUSICAL MASTERPIECE”
HIGH SOCIETY
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Book by Arthur Kopit
Additional Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead
Based on the play “The Philadelphia Story” by Philip Barry
28 July – 1 August
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM HIGHSOCIETYMUSICAL.COM
Interview with Helen George
Photo: Pamela Raith
Starring in a splashy new production of the classic Cole Porter musical High Society, Helen George is in her element. Her father was a big jazz fan. "So I grew up listening to all the greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra singing those wonderful Cole Porter melodies," Birmingham-born Helen recalls fondly. "Doing this show is really special for me because this is the music that I grew up with and sang along to."
From the producers of equally dazzling revivals of Porter's Anything Goes and Kiss Me, Kate, High Society is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, whose credits include Shadowlands and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast of Mamma Mia! and Bombay Dreams fame, with musical supervisor Stephen Ridley leading the orchestra.
As it embarks on a 20-week UK and Ireland tour after a stint at the bigger Barbican Theatre with a 28-strong cast that also features Freddie Fox, Julian Ovenden and Nigel Lindsay, Helen promises: "It's a wonderful, fabulous, sophisticated escape of an evening, with a huge orchestra and a big brass section. There's just so much joy in this show, the costumes are incredible, the songs are amazing, and I'm over the moon with the cast and crew that I get to work with."
Based on the classic 1956 film (which in turn was based on the 1939 stage comedy The Philadelphia Story and the following year's big screen version), High Society revolves around a Long Island wedding circa 1951, with old and new flames vying for attention as sharp-eyed reporter Mike Connor (played by Fox) hunts around for some tabloid-worthy scandal.
From the producers of equally dazzling revivals of Porter's Anything Goes and Kiss Me, Kate, High Society is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, whose credits include Shadowlands and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast of Mamma Mia! and Bombay Dreams fame, with musical supervisor Stephen Ridley leading the orchestra.
As it embarks on a 20-week UK and Ireland tour after a stint at the bigger Barbican Theatre with a 28-strong cast that also features Freddie Fox, Julian Ovenden and Nigel Lindsay, Helen promises: "It's a wonderful, fabulous, sophisticated escape of an evening, with a huge orchestra and a big brass section. There's just so much joy in this show, the costumes are incredible, the songs are amazing, and I'm over the moon with the cast and crew that I get to work with."
Based on the classic 1956 film (which in turn was based on the 1939 stage comedy The Philadelphia Story and the following year's big screen version), High Society revolves around a Long Island wedding circa 1951, with old and new flames vying for attention as sharp-eyed reporter Mike Connor (played by Fox) hunts around for some tabloid-worthy scandal.
Photo: Pamela Raith
As the planned nuptials descend into comedy chaos, at the centre of it all is Helen's Long Island socialite and divorcée Tracy Lord. "She's a very interesting character," the actress muses. "One of my first questions was 'Why would we care about her?' because on paper she's got it all. She lives in this fantastic house and there's so much wealth behind her, but ultimately it's a story about human relations and Tracy is trying to control her life in the best way that she can."
Helen smiles as she adds: "It's a bit like The White Lotus because everybody's in this world of wealth and fabulousness, and how can we relate to that? But actually we can't take our eyes off them and there are really relatable themes about love and pain amidst all the fun and fantastic songs."
Those songs run the gamut from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? via Well, Did You Evah! and Just One of Those Things to Let's Misbehave and the swooningly romantic True Love. For this new production the score has been expanded with a selection of additional Cole Porter classics, including “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, “Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love”, “You Do Something to Me”, “Be a Clown”, “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To”, “All Of You” and “Now You Has Jazz”, bringing even more wit, romance and sparkle to the production.
And Helen sees the music and mirth as a tonic for troubled times, saying: "I come out of the theatre, then I listen to the news and think 'Oh God, I'm so glad that I'm doing High Society, not something that's sad or political in any way'. This is exactly the sort of show that we need right now, and I think that theatre really comes into its prime when the world feels uncertain - especially with a musical that's as much fun and as lively and joyful as this one."
Best known for Call the Midwife on screen and the recent acclaimed revival of Rogers and Hammerstein's The King and I on stage, George is no stranger to period costumes. Playing English governess Anna Leonowens in 1860s Siam in the latter, she was confined by corsets. Are the early-1950s outfits in High Society less restrictive? Helen laughs. "Well, you'd think so, but I'm still never far away from a corset! It's a different silhouette, though, with that kind of Dior A-line skirt with a tight-fitting top silhouette, rather than long, hooped and heavy skirts. The refined elegance of the costumes is just beautiful."
Then there's the character of Tracy, of whom she says: "I think what's interesting about her is that she's a divorced woman in 1951, which is rare and actually quite brave. It's interesting to explore the fact that she's free and independent and only needs a man for love, not money."
Back when she was singing along to Fitzgerald and Sinatra, did Helen ever imagine that she'd have the career that she's had? "You never know how it's going to turn out. I've been very fortunate with the chances that I've been given and I feel very lucky, but I've worked hard for it."
That hard work began when she studied ballet as a child. "I wasn't particularly academic and I knew I'd found my passion, which my parents were very supportive about," she recalls. "That was dance to begin with, which translated into singing and then translated into acting. I just knew that I didn't want to work in an office because I'm much more of a practical and physical person."
Her family were big Aston Villa Fans and, as a sporty youngster, for a while she dreamt of becoming the team's first female manager. "But obviously I was never going to do that," she grins. Instead she studied musical theatre at the Royal Academy of Music in London, toured as a backing singer for Elton John, then landed the role of Nurse Trixie on Call the Midwife.
Fourteen years on, the character remains dear to her heart. "Normally at this time of year we're filming a new series but we're having a break, so it's weird not seeing my friends in the cast. Call the Midwife is always going to be a part of me and I hope in my future as well. I'm hoping that my time as Trixie hasn't come to an end just yet."
After strutting her stuff on Strictly Come Dancing, George returned to her musical theatre roots in The King and I. It felt like a homecoming. "It was always something that I had in my back pocket to go back to, but it wasn't something that I wanted to focus on when I was younger. It took a lot of nerve coming back to it because I'd only really done plays over the previous 15 years, but I'm loving it."
Helen smiles as she adds: "It's a bit like The White Lotus because everybody's in this world of wealth and fabulousness, and how can we relate to that? But actually we can't take our eyes off them and there are really relatable themes about love and pain amidst all the fun and fantastic songs."
Those songs run the gamut from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? via Well, Did You Evah! and Just One of Those Things to Let's Misbehave and the swooningly romantic True Love. For this new production the score has been expanded with a selection of additional Cole Porter classics, including “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, “Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love”, “You Do Something to Me”, “Be a Clown”, “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To”, “All Of You” and “Now You Has Jazz”, bringing even more wit, romance and sparkle to the production.
And Helen sees the music and mirth as a tonic for troubled times, saying: "I come out of the theatre, then I listen to the news and think 'Oh God, I'm so glad that I'm doing High Society, not something that's sad or political in any way'. This is exactly the sort of show that we need right now, and I think that theatre really comes into its prime when the world feels uncertain - especially with a musical that's as much fun and as lively and joyful as this one."
Best known for Call the Midwife on screen and the recent acclaimed revival of Rogers and Hammerstein's The King and I on stage, George is no stranger to period costumes. Playing English governess Anna Leonowens in 1860s Siam in the latter, she was confined by corsets. Are the early-1950s outfits in High Society less restrictive? Helen laughs. "Well, you'd think so, but I'm still never far away from a corset! It's a different silhouette, though, with that kind of Dior A-line skirt with a tight-fitting top silhouette, rather than long, hooped and heavy skirts. The refined elegance of the costumes is just beautiful."
Then there's the character of Tracy, of whom she says: "I think what's interesting about her is that she's a divorced woman in 1951, which is rare and actually quite brave. It's interesting to explore the fact that she's free and independent and only needs a man for love, not money."
Back when she was singing along to Fitzgerald and Sinatra, did Helen ever imagine that she'd have the career that she's had? "You never know how it's going to turn out. I've been very fortunate with the chances that I've been given and I feel very lucky, but I've worked hard for it."
That hard work began when she studied ballet as a child. "I wasn't particularly academic and I knew I'd found my passion, which my parents were very supportive about," she recalls. "That was dance to begin with, which translated into singing and then translated into acting. I just knew that I didn't want to work in an office because I'm much more of a practical and physical person."
Her family were big Aston Villa Fans and, as a sporty youngster, for a while she dreamt of becoming the team's first female manager. "But obviously I was never going to do that," she grins. Instead she studied musical theatre at the Royal Academy of Music in London, toured as a backing singer for Elton John, then landed the role of Nurse Trixie on Call the Midwife.
Fourteen years on, the character remains dear to her heart. "Normally at this time of year we're filming a new series but we're having a break, so it's weird not seeing my friends in the cast. Call the Midwife is always going to be a part of me and I hope in my future as well. I'm hoping that my time as Trixie hasn't come to an end just yet."
After strutting her stuff on Strictly Come Dancing, George returned to her musical theatre roots in The King and I. It felt like a homecoming. "It was always something that I had in my back pocket to go back to, but it wasn't something that I wanted to focus on when I was younger. It took a lot of nerve coming back to it because I'd only really done plays over the previous 15 years, but I'm loving it."
Photo: Pamela Raith
As High Society heads out on tour, is there anything she couldn't be on the road without? "I'm taking my kids because it's during the summer holidays," beams the mother of young daughters Wren and Lark. "It's also good that they understand why Mummy has to go to work and what I'm doing when I'm there."
Helen is a big advocate for taking shows around the country, saying: "Without getting on my soapbox, I think touring productions are so important. I grew up in Birmingham and I saw so many wonderful touring shows, and that's what made me want to do what I do now."
That includes following in the footsteps of the legendary Grace Kelly, who played Tracy in the film version. "But I'm not thinking about it because it's just too intimidating," Helen admits. "It was the same with The King and I, which had this legacy of incredible actresses before me playing her. My concern is finding my own take on the character, and I love that I get to play these very rounded and fulfilling roles - especially in a show that's as gorgeous and joyous as this one."
Words by Simon Button
Helen is a big advocate for taking shows around the country, saying: "Without getting on my soapbox, I think touring productions are so important. I grew up in Birmingham and I saw so many wonderful touring shows, and that's what made me want to do what I do now."
That includes following in the footsteps of the legendary Grace Kelly, who played Tracy in the film version. "But I'm not thinking about it because it's just too intimidating," Helen admits. "It was the same with The King and I, which had this legacy of incredible actresses before me playing her. My concern is finding my own take on the character, and I love that I get to play these very rounded and fulfilling roles - especially in a show that's as gorgeous and joyous as this one."
Words by Simon Button
Interview with Freddie Fox
Photo: Pamela Raith
Making his professional musical theatre debut in a sparkling new production of High Society, Freddie Fox reveals: "I've been building up to this since the age of four, when I saw my first musical at the National Theatre."
The show in question was Guys and Dolls starring Clarke Peters, Imelda Staunton and Henry Goodman. "And I absolutely loved it," Freddie recalls. "I learned all the words to all the songs and I sang them to anyone who would listen for a good few years afterwards. It's what started my obsession with musicals and I later became besotted with Cabaret and The Producers, so finally getting to star in one now on stage is the realisation of a boyhood fantasy."
The London-born son of actors Edward Fox and Joanna David studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and, as a student, he starred in the musical The Last Five Years opposite fellow Guildhall attendee Lily James in 2010 at the nearby Barbican Pit Theatre. But High Society - which embarks on a 20-week UK and Ireland tour after a stint at the bigger Barbican Theatre - is his first musical theatre outing since he graduated and it's on a much larger scale, with a 28-strong cast that also features Helen George, Julian Ovenden and Nigel Lindsay.
Based on the classic 1956 film (which in turn was based on the 1939 stage comedy The Philadelphia Story and the following year's big screen version) and featuring timeless Cole Porter tunes, it revolves around the society wedding of Long Island socialite Tracy Lord (George) in the early 1950s as it descends into comedy chaos
The show in question was Guys and Dolls starring Clarke Peters, Imelda Staunton and Henry Goodman. "And I absolutely loved it," Freddie recalls. "I learned all the words to all the songs and I sang them to anyone who would listen for a good few years afterwards. It's what started my obsession with musicals and I later became besotted with Cabaret and The Producers, so finally getting to star in one now on stage is the realisation of a boyhood fantasy."
The London-born son of actors Edward Fox and Joanna David studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and, as a student, he starred in the musical The Last Five Years opposite fellow Guildhall attendee Lily James in 2010 at the nearby Barbican Pit Theatre. But High Society - which embarks on a 20-week UK and Ireland tour after a stint at the bigger Barbican Theatre - is his first musical theatre outing since he graduated and it's on a much larger scale, with a 28-strong cast that also features Helen George, Julian Ovenden and Nigel Lindsay.
Based on the classic 1956 film (which in turn was based on the 1939 stage comedy The Philadelphia Story and the following year's big screen version) and featuring timeless Cole Porter tunes, it revolves around the society wedding of Long Island socialite Tracy Lord (George) in the early 1950s as it descends into comedy chaos
Photo: Pamela Raith
Old and new flames vie for attention as sharp-eyed tabloid reporter Mike Connor hunts for scandal at the Oyster Bay waterfront estate where the nuptials are due to take place. Fox plays Connor, of whom he says: "He'd like to think of himself as a socialist, but he's probably more of a champagne socialist, to be honest. He's a sort of middle-class intellectual and a very good writer, but he has only ever written one book that nobody read, so he has to make money as a journalist - which is something that he hates doing but it pays the bills.
"When he arrives at this fancy-schmancy house in Oyster Bay he's thinking 'These people are going to be completely ghastly' and decides that he wants to hate them all on principle, but then he gets lured by the high society spell." Is there anything of Freddie in the character? He laughs. "Well, apart from being slightly left-wing and liking champagne, not really!"
From the producers of equally dazzling revivals of Anything Goes and Kiss Me, Kate, both of which also feature Cole Porter scores, High Society is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, whose credits include Shadowlands and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast of Mamma Mia! and Bombay Dreams fame, with musical supervisor Stephen Ridley leading the orchestra.
Freddie's castmates and the creative team were a big draw for the 37-year-old actor. "When I heard who was involved I was like 'This is the A-team, it's like playing in the Premier League'. And, like Guys and Dolls, it's the sort of musical that I love. It's a night of sheer joy, lots of fun, with the best songs and fabulous dancing and singing. It's entertainment with a capital E."
A career in entertainment seemed inevitable for Freddie, who as part of the legendary Fox acting dynasty grew up amongst thespians and was named after Fred Zinnemann, the revered filmmaker who directed his father Edward in The Day of the Jackal.
That said, his parents would have preferred him not to follow in their footsteps. "They knew the ins and outs and the precariousness of acting as a profession," he recalls, "like not having money, then suddenly you're in the pink again and it's all great."
Humouring his folks, Freddie went along to an open day at Bristol University with a view to maybe studying history or the classics. Afterwards, he asked his dad if he could see Bristol Old Vic Theatre. "They let us in and just have a wander around on the stage, which was incredibly kind of them, and my dad realised that it would have been fruitless trying to dissuade me from an acting career because it was clear to him how fascinated I was with that world."
After graduating from drama school, Fox won plaudits for his portrayal of the singer Marilyn in Worried About the Boy, a TV drama about Boy George. He hasn't stopped working since, with personal favourites ranging from The Judas Kiss opposite Rupert Everett on stage to Slow Horses opposite Gary Oldman on screen.
"Working with Gary was another boyhood dream come true," Fox says. "I've been very lucky because I've enjoyed pretty much everything I've done. I got to work with Lily James again in Romeo and Juliet in the West End, which was wonderful, and High Society opened at the Barbican, which felt like a full-circle moment because that's where I did The Last Five Years in the smaller theatre all those years ago."
Freddie is known for his sartorial style, so he's loving Mike's dapper costumes in High Society. "They're extraordinary and audiences will leave the theatre feeling like no expense has been spared on making it a truly massive musical extravaganza." Is there anything else about the era that he'd like to experience? "I think I'd enjoy the abandon and that post-war feeling that life is for living. There was a great sense of energy and a desire to create and build, and a feeling that the world could only get better."
"When he arrives at this fancy-schmancy house in Oyster Bay he's thinking 'These people are going to be completely ghastly' and decides that he wants to hate them all on principle, but then he gets lured by the high society spell." Is there anything of Freddie in the character? He laughs. "Well, apart from being slightly left-wing and liking champagne, not really!"
From the producers of equally dazzling revivals of Anything Goes and Kiss Me, Kate, both of which also feature Cole Porter scores, High Society is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, whose credits include Shadowlands and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast of Mamma Mia! and Bombay Dreams fame, with musical supervisor Stephen Ridley leading the orchestra.
Freddie's castmates and the creative team were a big draw for the 37-year-old actor. "When I heard who was involved I was like 'This is the A-team, it's like playing in the Premier League'. And, like Guys and Dolls, it's the sort of musical that I love. It's a night of sheer joy, lots of fun, with the best songs and fabulous dancing and singing. It's entertainment with a capital E."
A career in entertainment seemed inevitable for Freddie, who as part of the legendary Fox acting dynasty grew up amongst thespians and was named after Fred Zinnemann, the revered filmmaker who directed his father Edward in The Day of the Jackal.
That said, his parents would have preferred him not to follow in their footsteps. "They knew the ins and outs and the precariousness of acting as a profession," he recalls, "like not having money, then suddenly you're in the pink again and it's all great."
Humouring his folks, Freddie went along to an open day at Bristol University with a view to maybe studying history or the classics. Afterwards, he asked his dad if he could see Bristol Old Vic Theatre. "They let us in and just have a wander around on the stage, which was incredibly kind of them, and my dad realised that it would have been fruitless trying to dissuade me from an acting career because it was clear to him how fascinated I was with that world."
After graduating from drama school, Fox won plaudits for his portrayal of the singer Marilyn in Worried About the Boy, a TV drama about Boy George. He hasn't stopped working since, with personal favourites ranging from The Judas Kiss opposite Rupert Everett on stage to Slow Horses opposite Gary Oldman on screen.
"Working with Gary was another boyhood dream come true," Fox says. "I've been very lucky because I've enjoyed pretty much everything I've done. I got to work with Lily James again in Romeo and Juliet in the West End, which was wonderful, and High Society opened at the Barbican, which felt like a full-circle moment because that's where I did The Last Five Years in the smaller theatre all those years ago."
Freddie is known for his sartorial style, so he's loving Mike's dapper costumes in High Society. "They're extraordinary and audiences will leave the theatre feeling like no expense has been spared on making it a truly massive musical extravaganza." Is there anything else about the era that he'd like to experience? "I think I'd enjoy the abandon and that post-war feeling that life is for living. There was a great sense of energy and a desire to create and build, and a feeling that the world could only get better."
Photo: Pamela Raith
Then there are the Cole Porter songs, which run the gamut from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? via Well, Did You Evah! and Just One of Those Things to Let's Misbehave and the swooningly romantic True Love. "He was a genius with an ear for a great melody," Freddie marvels. "He was a one-off." For this new production the score has been expanded with a selection of additional Cole Porter classics, including “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, “Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love”, “You Do Something to Me”, “Be a Clown”, “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To”, “All Of You” and “Now You Has Jazz”, bringing even more wit, romance and sparkle to the production.
The show is fabulous escapism. "And we don't just need that right now," he muses, "we always need it." As for if he's enjoying his professional musical theatre debut, he beams: "It's surpassed my expectations. I was excited but nervous, but now I feel really at home in this medium."
He's a big fan of touring, saying: "It's a great way to get to know your nation and to go to places you'd maybe never go to otherwise. It's very good bonding for the company too, where we're all together on this adventure."
After its run at the Barbican, High Society will be calling at 15 towns and cities across the UK and Ireland. "Taking a show out of London is what it's all about for me," Freddie smiles. "Theatre should be for absolutely everybody and I think now more than ever - as we face a kind of technological revolution, the effects of which we can't quite predict, what with AI and the like - theatre is more important to us than perhaps it ever has been in our history. Taking a show on tour and giving people a great night out is just one brick in that enormous wall."
Words by Simon Button
The show is fabulous escapism. "And we don't just need that right now," he muses, "we always need it." As for if he's enjoying his professional musical theatre debut, he beams: "It's surpassed my expectations. I was excited but nervous, but now I feel really at home in this medium."
He's a big fan of touring, saying: "It's a great way to get to know your nation and to go to places you'd maybe never go to otherwise. It's very good bonding for the company too, where we're all together on this adventure."
After its run at the Barbican, High Society will be calling at 15 towns and cities across the UK and Ireland. "Taking a show out of London is what it's all about for me," Freddie smiles. "Theatre should be for absolutely everybody and I think now more than ever - as we face a kind of technological revolution, the effects of which we can't quite predict, what with AI and the like - theatre is more important to us than perhaps it ever has been in our history. Taking a show on tour and giving people a great night out is just one brick in that enormous wall."
Words by Simon Button
Final casting is announced today for “this year’s guaranteed gem” (Metro), a dazzling new production of “Cole Porter’s musical masterpiece” (Heart FM) HIGH SOCIETY, revealing an exciting line-up of stars from both stage and screen set to join the company led by Helen George as Tracy Lord. Joining Helen are Freddie Fox (Slow Horses, House of the Dragon) making his musical theatre debut who will play the charismatic and unpredictable Mike Connor, Julian Ovenden (Bridgerton, Downton Abbey) who will play the suave and sophisticated Dexter Haven, Nigel Lindsay (Mobland, The Capture) who will play Uncle Willie and Malcolm Sinclair (Pie in the Sky) as Seth Lord, completing the star-studded line-up of this dazzling must-see musical event.
Direct from a summer season at London’s Barbican Theatre the show will embark on a major six-month UK & Ireland tour beginning at High Wycombe’s Swan Theatre on 14 July. Tickets are on sale from HighSocietyMusical.com.
This sumptuous new production is brought to life by an multi-award-winning creative team, including renowned director Rachel Kavanaugh (currently directing Hugh Bonneville in the smash hit Shadowlands at the Aldwych Theatre), legendary choreographer Anthony Van Laast (Mamma Mia, Kiss Me, Kate) with musical supervision by Stephen Ridley (The King and I, Anything Goes) leading a full orchestra. Audiences will be immersed in a dazzling world of champagne-sparkled evenings, razor-sharp comedy, and the timeless sophistication of Cole Porter in one of the great classic musicals of all time.
With music and lyrics by Cole Porter and a book by Arthur Kopit, this glittering new production promises a heady cocktail of romance, wit, mistaken identity and irresistible musical charm. Featuring Porter classics such as Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, I Love Paris, Well Did You Evah?, Just One Of Those Things, Let’s Misbehave, You’re Sensational, and the swooningly romantic True Love, HIGH SOCIETY will be the unmissable musical event of the year.
Freddie Fox makes his musical theatre debut in HIGH SOCIETY this summer marking an exciting new chapter in a career that already spans acclaimed television roles such as Slow Horses and House Of The Dragon, as well as work behind the camera as a director and producer. A member of one of Britain’s most distinguished acting dynasties he brings both pedigree and versatility to the stage with screen credits that have firmly established him as one of his generation’s most compelling performers. He said: He said: “I couldn’t be more excited to be making my musical theatre debut in HIGH SOCIETY. It’s the realisation of a boyhood dream for me, and I can’t wait to dive into this world, the music and the sheer joy of Cole Porter.”
Julian Ovenden returns to musical theatre this summer following a celebrated screen career that includes standout roles in The Crown, Downton Abbey and Bridgerton. Renowned for his rich baritone and stage presence, he has previously earned an Olivier Award nomination for South Pacific, alongside other acclaimed musical performances, making his return in HIGH SOCIETY highly anticipated. He said: “The idea of taking HIGH SOCIETY on tour is incredibly exciting. There is nothing better than bringing a show like this to audiences far and wide. It’s going to be a real celebration and I know people are going to have an incredible night out.”
They are joined by acclaimed actors Nigel Lindsay and Malcolm Sinclair. The cast for this new production of the beloved Cole Porter musical is made up of Naomi Pacquette, David Seadon-Young, James Hume, Bethany Adamson, David Austin-Barnes, Jabari Braham, George Bray, Andrew Coshan, Jordan Crouch, Frances Dee, Aaron Elijah, Tosca Fischer, Jacob Fisher, Heather Jackson, Aoife Kenny, Nell Martin, Isabel Snaas, Thomas Inge, Robin Kent, Imogen Bailey, Lucy Rice.
Producer Sir Howard Panter said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that such extraordinary actors Freddie Fox, Julian Ovenden and Nigel Lindsay will be joining Helen George in the UK and Ireland tour of HIGH SOCIETY. We have assembled a first-class creative team, alongside a truly irresistible cast to bring this classic sumptuous Cole Porter musical to some of the finest theatres direct from the Barbican.”
Clear your diary, because you’re invited to the most swell party of the year, Cole Porter’s HIGH SOCIETY. This year’s most eagerly anticipated production delivers another glorious dose of Golden Age musical theatre escapism across the UK and Ireland. Join the 28-strong cast, led by Helen George, for this lavish new production as plans for the society wedding of the year descend into chaos, with old flames and new flames vying for attention as a sharp-eyed tabloid reporter hunts for scandal at the waterfront estate.
HIGH SOCIETY – UK AND IRELAND TOUR 2026
19 May – 11 July
Barbican Theatre
14 – 18 July
High Wycombe Swan
21 – 25 July
Cardiff New Theatre
28 July – 1 August
Southend Cliffs Pavilion
11 – 15 August
Belfast Grand Opera House *
18 – 22 August
Birmingham Alexandra Theatre
25 – 29 August
Leeds Grand Theatre
1 – 5 September
Glasgow King’s Theatre ±
8 – 12 September
Edinburgh Playhouse
15 – 19 September
Norwich Theatre Royal
22 September – 3 October
Salford The Lowry ±
6 – 10 October
Bromley Churchill Theatre
20 – 24 October
Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre ±
27 – 31 October
Canterbury Marlowe Theatre
3 – 7 November
Nottingham Theatre Royal
10 – 14 November
Eastbourne Congress Theatre
* Helen George will not perform
± Helen George will not perform on 4/5/6/25/26 September and 20/21 October
Website: HighSocietyMusical.com
Facebook: @highsocietymusical
Instagram: @highsocietymusical
Youtube: @highsocietymusical
TikTok: @highsocietymusical
Also based on the Turner Entertainment Co. Motion Picture “High Society”
Direct from a summer season at London’s Barbican Theatre the show will embark on a major six-month UK & Ireland tour beginning at High Wycombe’s Swan Theatre on 14 July. Tickets are on sale from HighSocietyMusical.com.
This sumptuous new production is brought to life by an multi-award-winning creative team, including renowned director Rachel Kavanaugh (currently directing Hugh Bonneville in the smash hit Shadowlands at the Aldwych Theatre), legendary choreographer Anthony Van Laast (Mamma Mia, Kiss Me, Kate) with musical supervision by Stephen Ridley (The King and I, Anything Goes) leading a full orchestra. Audiences will be immersed in a dazzling world of champagne-sparkled evenings, razor-sharp comedy, and the timeless sophistication of Cole Porter in one of the great classic musicals of all time.
With music and lyrics by Cole Porter and a book by Arthur Kopit, this glittering new production promises a heady cocktail of romance, wit, mistaken identity and irresistible musical charm. Featuring Porter classics such as Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, I Love Paris, Well Did You Evah?, Just One Of Those Things, Let’s Misbehave, You’re Sensational, and the swooningly romantic True Love, HIGH SOCIETY will be the unmissable musical event of the year.
Freddie Fox makes his musical theatre debut in HIGH SOCIETY this summer marking an exciting new chapter in a career that already spans acclaimed television roles such as Slow Horses and House Of The Dragon, as well as work behind the camera as a director and producer. A member of one of Britain’s most distinguished acting dynasties he brings both pedigree and versatility to the stage with screen credits that have firmly established him as one of his generation’s most compelling performers. He said: He said: “I couldn’t be more excited to be making my musical theatre debut in HIGH SOCIETY. It’s the realisation of a boyhood dream for me, and I can’t wait to dive into this world, the music and the sheer joy of Cole Porter.”
Julian Ovenden returns to musical theatre this summer following a celebrated screen career that includes standout roles in The Crown, Downton Abbey and Bridgerton. Renowned for his rich baritone and stage presence, he has previously earned an Olivier Award nomination for South Pacific, alongside other acclaimed musical performances, making his return in HIGH SOCIETY highly anticipated. He said: “The idea of taking HIGH SOCIETY on tour is incredibly exciting. There is nothing better than bringing a show like this to audiences far and wide. It’s going to be a real celebration and I know people are going to have an incredible night out.”
They are joined by acclaimed actors Nigel Lindsay and Malcolm Sinclair. The cast for this new production of the beloved Cole Porter musical is made up of Naomi Pacquette, David Seadon-Young, James Hume, Bethany Adamson, David Austin-Barnes, Jabari Braham, George Bray, Andrew Coshan, Jordan Crouch, Frances Dee, Aaron Elijah, Tosca Fischer, Jacob Fisher, Heather Jackson, Aoife Kenny, Nell Martin, Isabel Snaas, Thomas Inge, Robin Kent, Imogen Bailey, Lucy Rice.
Producer Sir Howard Panter said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that such extraordinary actors Freddie Fox, Julian Ovenden and Nigel Lindsay will be joining Helen George in the UK and Ireland tour of HIGH SOCIETY. We have assembled a first-class creative team, alongside a truly irresistible cast to bring this classic sumptuous Cole Porter musical to some of the finest theatres direct from the Barbican.”
Clear your diary, because you’re invited to the most swell party of the year, Cole Porter’s HIGH SOCIETY. This year’s most eagerly anticipated production delivers another glorious dose of Golden Age musical theatre escapism across the UK and Ireland. Join the 28-strong cast, led by Helen George, for this lavish new production as plans for the society wedding of the year descend into chaos, with old flames and new flames vying for attention as a sharp-eyed tabloid reporter hunts for scandal at the waterfront estate.
HIGH SOCIETY – UK AND IRELAND TOUR 2026
19 May – 11 July
Barbican Theatre
14 – 18 July
High Wycombe Swan
21 – 25 July
Cardiff New Theatre
28 July – 1 August
Southend Cliffs Pavilion
11 – 15 August
Belfast Grand Opera House *
18 – 22 August
Birmingham Alexandra Theatre
25 – 29 August
Leeds Grand Theatre
1 – 5 September
Glasgow King’s Theatre ±
8 – 12 September
Edinburgh Playhouse
15 – 19 September
Norwich Theatre Royal
22 September – 3 October
Salford The Lowry ±
6 – 10 October
Bromley Churchill Theatre
20 – 24 October
Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre ±
27 – 31 October
Canterbury Marlowe Theatre
3 – 7 November
Nottingham Theatre Royal
10 – 14 November
Eastbourne Congress Theatre
* Helen George will not perform
± Helen George will not perform on 4/5/6/25/26 September and 20/21 October
Website: HighSocietyMusical.com
Facebook: @highsocietymusical
Instagram: @highsocietymusical
Youtube: @highsocietymusical
TikTok: @highsocietymusical
Also based on the Turner Entertainment Co. Motion Picture “High Society”