As the Barbican prepares to uncork a sparkling new revival of Cole Porter’s High Society, all eyes are on the ensemble poised to bring its champagne-fizz glamour to life. This latest London staging of the classic musical, adapted from the 1956 film and Philip Barry’s play The Philadelphia Story, boasts a cast that must juggle razor-sharp wit, romantic entanglements and a score steeped in Golden Age sophistication. From breakout newcomers to seasoned West End favourites, each performer is stepping into roles that demand both vocal finesse and effortless comic timing. Before the curtain rises on this tale of love, second chances and society-page scandal, we meet the swellegant company ready to turn the Barbican into Long Island’s most exclusive address.
Meet the dazzling ensemble bringing High Society to life at the Barbican
With a score that shimmers and dialog as dry as the best martini, this revival demands performers who can sing, dance and trade barbs with effortless poise. The Barbican company answers with a line-up of stage thoroughbreds and rising stars,led by a poised yet mercurial Tracy Lord,whose crystalline vocals and razor-sharp timing anchor the emotional core of the piece. Around her orbit an irresistibly louche Dexter Haven, a quick-witted Mike Connor and a luminous Liz Imbrie, each bringing sophisticated chemistry and snap to Cole Porter’s champagne-fizzing world. Supporting players – from society dragons to mischievous younger siblings – create a fully inhabited Newport universe, where every raised eyebrow and clipped consonant feels meticulously tailored.
- Tracy Lord – ice-cool heiress with a crack in her armour
- Dexter Haven – raffish ex-husband with disarming charm
- Mike Connor – outsider reporter turned reluctant romantic
- Liz Imbrie – quick-fire photographer with a steady gaze
- Uncle Willie & the Lords – comic catalysts in evening dress
| Character | Vibe | Showstopper Moment |
|---|---|---|
| Tracy Lord | Gilded, guarded, gloriously human | Midnight crisis on the eve of “I do” |
| Dexter Haven | Rumpled elegance | Piano-side confession with a smile |
| Mike Connor | Hard-boiled heartbreaker | Love-struck verse he didn’t mean to write |
| Liz Imbrie | Wisecracking warmth | A single look that steals the scene |
Standout performances to watch and why they matter to this revival
At the heart of this Barbican revival are a handful of performances that recalibrate how we think about Porter’s champagne-fizz musical. The new Tracy Lord doesn’t just glide through the score; she interrogates it,finding razor-sharp comedy in the dialogue and a modern vulnerability in songs like “It’s All Right with Me” that makes her less ice goddess,more woman on the brink of reinvention. Opposite her, the Dexter Haven of this production leans harder into bruised charm than breezy entitlement, his chemistry with Tracy built on quick-fire repartee rather than nostalgia alone. Around them, the show’s comic engine purrs thanks to a scene-stealing Uncle Willie and a Dinah whose precocious timing lands each barb with newsroom precision, reminding us that this is a story about a family learning-sometimes painfully-how to listen to one another.
These interpretations matter because they anchor the revival firmly in 2020s London rather than in a sepia-tinted 1950s postcard. By foregrounding emotional stakes over cocktail-hour gloss,the cast exposes the class tensions and gender negotiations humming beneath the Gershwin-esque surface sheen. Moments that once played purely as froth now read as commentary: the servants’ ensemble numbers sharpen into a sly critique of privilege, while Mike Connor’s transformation from cynical reporter to reluctant romantic feels eerily aligned with today’s media fatigue. In doing so, the company doesn’t discard the show’s elegance; they deepen it, proving that High Society can be both swellegant entertainment and a quietly pointed reflection on who gets to write- and rewrite- their own love story.
Behind the scenes with the creative team shaping the High Society atmosphere
While the cast is slinging martinis and Cole Porter zingers, a tight-knit creative team is quietly engineering the illusion of effortless glamour.In rehearsal rooms lined with fabric swatches and vintage Vogue tear-outs, the director, choreographer and designers are building a Jazz Age Newport that feels both sparklingly escapist and sharply modern.Mood boards pin together cigarette cases and chrome cocktail shakers; costume rails groan with satin gowns and razor-sharp tuxedos tailored to move with the music. Every choice is interrogated: the exact shade of champagne silk that reflects footlights just so, the tempo of a dance break that lets a joke land before the brass section blazes in, the way a single spotlight can make a bridal veil look like a cloud of gossip.
Behind the Barbican’s stage door, collaboration runs on caffeine, Cole Porter, and an almost forensic attention to detail. The team gathers around piano rehearsals to fine‑tune transitions, trimming bars here and reshaping choreography there so that scene, song and story fuse seamlessly. Wardrobe, lighting and sound are treated as co‑authors of the narrative, not just support acts, with late‑night sessions devoted to testing how sequins catch the follow-spot, or how a distant clink of glassware can make the onstage party feel truly lived-in.Their shared toolkit includes:
- Direction: shaping character journeys so the comedy never undercuts the emotional bite.
- Choreography: stitching tap breaks and slow dances into the ebb and flow of the plot.
- Costume & Set Design: balancing period authenticity with a sleek, contemporary edge.
- Lighting & Sound: turning the Barbican into a shimmering Long Island estate, one cue at a time.
| Role | Creative Focus |
|---|---|
| Director | Comic timing & emotional stakes |
| Choreographer | Elegant chaos on the dance floor |
| Designer | Gilded 1930s with a modern sheen |
| Sound & Lighting | From hushed vows to roaring parties |
How to make the most of your visit to the Barbican for High Society
Arrive early to sink into the Barbican’s mid-century ambience and let the mood of Cole Porter’s world start working on you before curtain up. Sip a pre-show cocktail at the foyer bars – the classic martini or a crisp G&T echoes the fizz of the production – and take a moment to explore the lakeside terrace if the weather plays along. Inside, scan the cast boards and creative team notes: the more you know about the performers and their West End or Broadway pedigrees, the more you’ll spot playful nods and vocal flourishes throughout the evening. For a smooth experience, collect tickets or e-tickets early and factor in extra time to navigate the Barbican’s maze-like levels; the venue is iconic, but it rewards those who wander with purpose.
- Dress code: Lean into subtle glamour – think cocktail chic rather than full black tie.
- Interval tactics: Pre-order your drinks and ice creams to dodge the busiest queues.
- Commuter savvy: Check the last Tube or train home, especially for midweek performances.
- Merch & memories: Programmes here are frequently enough rich with rehearsal photos and interviews.
| Barbican Tip | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Arrive 45 minutes early | Time for security, cocktails and a calm seat search |
| Explore the foyer displays | Adds context on the cast and creative team |
| Stay for the curtain call | Catch every last high note and ensemble flourish |
The Way Forward
As this high-society soirée prepares to open its doors at the Barbican, it’s clear that the production’s greatest asset is the ensemble at its heart. Together, they promise a revival that respects the golden-age glamour of Porter’s world while bringing a sharp, contemporary edge to its characters.
For audiences, that means a chance not only to revisit a beloved musical, but to see it reimagined by a company attuned to its wit, its romance and its emotional undercurrents. If the rehearsal room chemistry translates to the stage, this “swellegant” cast may well deliver a “High Society” that feels both nostalgically luxurious and unmistakably of the moment.
