MAGIC OF THE MUSICALS..HIGH SOCIETY AT VENUE CYMRU.

HIGH SOCIETY. VENUE CYMRU LLANDUDNO TILL 2ND FEBRUARY 2013.


One can't go to see High Society without the memory of the film starring
Crosby,Sinatra and Grace Kelly at the height of their box office powers.
On film they were, of course,miming to their studio recordings and had
the opportunity of as many "takes" as it took to get everything perfect.
At Venue Cymru last night it was LIVE theatre and the cast and company
had to get it right in front of an expectant audience and they certainly
succeeded.
The director and choreographer have to be congratulated for moving the
show along at a cracking pace. The setting was a Long Island mansion in
America and throughout the show the cast handled the scenery changes
with dexterity distracting the audience from each scene change with a little downstage  vignette
then
dashing into the wings of the theatre to change costume. This alone gave
the show pulse which added to the delight as the cast dipped into a
magician's hat to pull out another Cole Porter gem.
This is the story about an upcoming marriage of a spoilt unconventional
socialite Tracy Lord dealing with her bemused unconventional ex husband
in the life of an American elite household. The difficulty of a show like
this is creating empathy with an audience listening to sophisticated witty
banter in a millionaire environment while this country is in recession.
Fortunately the pace of the show and performances of the cast treat us
to a glittering night at the theatre.Sophie Bould plays Tracy Lord. A
tricky part as people remember Katherine Hepburn and Grace Kelly
before her. No problem for Miss Bould she succeeded in capturing the
move from spoilt sophisticate to reality check thoughout the show
sharing most of the Cole Porter songs with Micheal Praed as Dexter
Haven. Another secure performance and a showstopping version
of  " I love you Samantha" into duet with Sophie and "True Love" at
 the end of the show.Teddy Kempner used his inate comic timing in song
and words and Daniel Boys and Alex Young were excellant . The 1930s
band was wonderful and so right. Only seven performers in the pit !
I can be pernickety...I'm sorry about that....but the wooden sun-lounger
in the first act should have had some high class cushions AND that seagull
upstage surveying the scene never moved... unlike the show which
moved along with superb, sophisticated,speed  and nostalgic glittering
glamour.

Go book your ticket at the theatre or grab your credit card and call
(01492) 872000 and turn up at the theatre a half hour before the show
to collect the tickets.