As two of the stars in a dazzling revival of the Cole Porter musical High Society which is heading to the Lowry later this month, Helen George and Freddie Fox are clearly of one mind about the show’s impact on an audience.
“It’s such a fun show and at times it’s even very silly,” said Freddie. “We have lots of laughs and then you have all those great songs. It’s all about giving the audience a great time.”
Helen, best known for playing nurse Trixie in the BBC TV series Call the Midwife, added: “I feel like I’ve got my silly back with this show. It’s not often that I have had the chance to play fun characters.”
Helen plays glamorous socialite Tracy Lord who is set to marry the decent but boring George Kitteridge. On the eve of her wedding the lavish celebrations are disrupted first by the appearance of Tracy’s first husband Dexter Haven who is still in love with her and the arrival of reporter Mike Connor and photographer Liz Imbrie who are digging for scandal.
“I think we have all come to this production with an idea of finding the ultimate version of the show,” said Helen. “We have worked hard on the pace of the show and tried to find a handpicked, bespoke version of it. Everyone is having such a good time on stage and I think the audience can sense that.”
Fans of the musical may know the story from the 1956 movie starring Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly.
“The film is beloved for so many reasons,” said Freddie, who plays Mike Connor. “I watched it recently and actually now it feels a bit dated and it’s actually not that funny.
“Our version hopefully will give people the feeling they first had when they saw the film but we’re really serving up the fun.
“It does leave you feeling great. We’re splattered every day with such terrible news and the great thing about live theatre is that it’s the most human of mediums and greatest way to forget the bad stuff for a bit.
“That’s certainly true with High Society, it’s very much joyful escapism.”
Freddie is part of the Fox acting dynasty. He’s the son of Edward Fox and Joanna David and brother of Emilia Fox. High Society is his first foray into the world of musical theatre.
“I suppose I’ve been building up to this for a long time” he said. “The boring answer as to why now is that it was something that came up at the right time.
“But the more interesting reason is that I went to see Guys and Dolls when I was five or six at the National Theatre and that American songbook captivated me even then. I can still remember those songs and that era of the classic musical has stuck with me.
“To get the opportunity to perform those classic songs in this show and also to bring something new to the role was something I couldn’t resist.”
High Society is packed with some of Cole Porter’s finest numbers including Who Wants to Be A Millionaire, I Love Paris and True Love.
This production which has enjoyed a sold out run at London’s Barbican before embarking on a major tour is spectacular with a large cast, full orchestra, detailed costumes and scenery and complex choreography.
For Helen, who took part in Strictly Come Dancing with professional partner Aljaž Škorjanec, it was an opportunity to return to the dancefloor.
“I did the King and I where there was some dancing but I’ve not really danced since Strictly and that was in 2015,” she said. “I actually didn’t think there would be any dancing in the show but choreographer Anthony van Laast said he’d seen me in Strictly and there would definitely be dancing in it.
“I knew the basic holds for ballroom which has certainly helped but I don’t think I quite expected such big routines but I love it.”
For Freddie having both Helen and Carly Mercedes Dyer ,who plays Liz, on stage has been a major help into his introduction to the world of the musical.
“I love singing with both of them,” he said, “Every night the songs are slightly different, there are just subtle changes which is so enjoyable.”
Regular North West theatregoers will remember Carly for playing Kathy Seldon in Singin’ in the Rain at the Royal Exchange last Christmas.
For both Helen and Freddie, the opportunity to bring the show to the Lowry is one of the highlights of the whole tour.
“For a start we’re there for a fortnight which is really good,” said Helen. “It gives you chance to at least feel like you are settling in somewhere. And I absolutely love Manchester.”
Freddie added: “Manchester has a special place in my heart. I did my first proper professional job there - he appeared as 80s pop star Marilyn in About a Boy, a film about Boy George.
“Later I did Cucumber and Banana for Channel 4 and I think I was in Manchester for around six months for all the shooting. I had withdrawal symptoms when it was all over.
“Now, every time I come out of Piccadilly Station and see the Malmaison Hotel I think I’m about to start something exciting.
“But I enjoy just wandering places like the Northern Quarter; it is the most stupendous city.”
Freddie’s early Manchester memories predate his own career.
“I remember my mum took me on tour and I’d spend ages in the green room at the Royal Exchange,” he said.
His dad Edward has also performed in Manchester including in My Fair Lady as Henry Higgins, so had he got any advice to give to Freddie about appearing in a musical.
“I think My Fair Lady is a totally different type of musical,” he said. “Higgins is very much a spoken part so if he did try to give me some advice, I’d probably tell him perhaps he should have got some singing lessons,” he laughed.
High Society is at the Lowry, Salford, from Tuesday, September 22 to Saturday, October 3. Details from www.thelowry.com
Share