Review: Anything Goes. Musicality at Nottingham Arts Theatre.

four star

Directed and choreographed by Lucy Castle with Emma Kennedy as musical director Nottingham University group Musicality prove they ‘Are The Tops!’ once again with their sparkling production of Cole Porter’s light musical comedy ‘Anything Goes’.

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Their recent productions of ‘Phantom of the Opera’ and ‘The Producers’ were of an exceptionally high musical quality and ‘Anything Goes’ is a perfect piece of quality musical entertainment put on with style, panache and tongue in cheek wit.

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Many of Cole Porters’ hits are packed into this show including the title song ‘Anything Goes’, ‘You’re The Top’, ‘I Get A Kick Out of You’, ‘All Through The Night’ and ‘Blow Gabriel Blow!’ The talented cast fully engage in every number and look as if they are having the time of their lives. By the end of the dynamic toe tapping first half the audience can’t wait to get back to their seats for the remainder of the show. Musicality’s live orchestra add much to the feel of evening and listening in the semi dark to the delightful Overture and Entr’acte are very much a part of the whole experience.

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Amy Foden as Reno Sweeney is fabulous. Full voiced, confident, classy and sassy she also has something of Kylie Minogue about her performance and she lights up the stage every time she appears. Musicality would be fools to let this talented first year student go.

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Sam Wilson is another confident young performer and he gives his character Billy Crocker a very likeable charm and totally pleasant singing voice and has some nice comedy timing.

There is certainly plenty of comedy going on in this romantic tale on the high seas and the biggest laughs come form the zany antics of Laurence Cuthbert as the would be gangster Moonface Martin. The audience lap up his bendy legged rendition of ‘Be Like The Bluebird’. Oliver Smith as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh makes his silly ass character into one the most lovable in the show.

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With such a large student cast spilling over with enthusiastic performances it would take several reviews just to name them all and their clear commitment and talents put into this show… So this reviewer will limit himself to saying  that the whole ensemble pull out all the stops and then some to make this energetic show a huge hit and provide enough energy to send several liners across the Atlantic and back. A bright and breezy antidote to a cold and wet winter’s evening.

Runs until 13th Feb at Nottingham Arts Theatre.

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