Everything goes at ‘Anything Goes’. It has the songs, the dance moves, the comedy and a first class Australian cast.
‘Anything Goes’ is the 1930’s musical about a cruise from the USA to UK but the plot really is irrelevant. At the time ‘Anything Goes’ was a larger than life showcase of the songs of Cole Porter. One of those songs is the classic ‘I Get A Kick Out Of You’, originally sung by Ethel Merman in the original production and revived over the years by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Australia’s Gary Shearston.
Australian stage superstar, the De-lovely Caroline O’Connor is simply De-lightful as Reno Sweeney in this 2015 adaptation of the stage classic but the true surprise package is the De-wonderful Gerry Connolly whose comedy timing provides the zingers in the story.
The Production Company previously bought ‘Anything Goes’ to a Melbourne stage in 2011 and the star of years ago Todd McKenney is back playing the pompous Lord Evelyn Oakleigh.
It is incredible to believe that ‘Anything Goes’ debuted on Broadway 81 years ago and in 2015 can still entertain an audience that would know be four or five generations on from the original crowds.
‘Anything Goes’ is also good wholesome family entertainment and attracted literally people from 8 to 80 who all managed to absorb the production on an individual level.
The corny jokes are abundant but so are the great songs of Cole Porter.
