With a sell-out summer season in London’s West End, Helen George – known to millions over the past decade as Trixie in the hit BBC series Call The Midwife – stars as Tracy Lord in a major new tour of Cole Porter’s musical masterpiece, High Society.
Helen is joined by an exciting line-up of stars from both stage and screen, including Freddie Fox (Slow Horses, House of the Dragon), making his musical theatre debut as the charismatic and unpredictable Mike Connor, Julian Ovenden (Bridgerton, Downton Abbey) returning to musical theatre as the suave and sophisticated Dexter Haven, Carly Mercedes Dyer (Anything Goes, Singin’ in the Rain) as Liz Imbrie, Nigel Lindsay (Mobland, The Capture) as Uncle Willie and Malcolm Sinclair (Pie in the Sky) as Seth Lord.
West End star Josefina Gabrielle joins the cast on tour as Mother Lord. Completing the star-studded cast of this dazzling must-see musical event are Naomi Pacquette, David Seadon-Young, James Hume, Bethany Adamson, David Austin-Barnes, Jabari Braham ,George Bray, Andrew Coshan, Jordan Crouch, Frances Dee, Aaron Elijah, Tosca Fischer, Jacob Fisher, Heather Jackson, Aoife Kenny, Nell Martin, Isabel Snaas, Thomas Inge, Robin Kent, Imogen Bailey, Lucy Rice and Maddie Harper.
Helen George: “I am delighted to be returning to the stage in Cole Porter’s musical comedy masterpiece High Society to play Tracy Samantha Lord in a brand-new production directed by Rachel Kavanaugh next year. Theatre is my first love, and I adored playing the iconic role of Anna in The King and I, so I jumped at the chance to flex my musical comedy chops and play Tracy. Cole Porter’s musicals are packed with his signature wit, glamour and unforgettable tunes and High Society is no exception. I am thrilled to take the show on tour and can’t wait for audiences up and down the country to enjoy a sparkling evening of comedy, romance and sheer musical joy.”
Freddie Fox, a member of one of Britain’s most distinguished acting dynasties: “I couldn’t be more excited to be making my musical theatre debut in High Society. It’s the realisation of a boyhood dream for me, and I can’t wait to dive into this world, the music and the sheer joy of Cole Porter.”
Julian Ovenden: “The idea of taking High Society on tour is incredibly exciting. There is nothing better than bringing a show like this to audiences far and wide. It’s going to be a real celebration and I know people are going to have an incredible night out.”
This sumptuous new production is brought to life by an multi-award winning creative team, including renowned director Rachel Kavanaugh (currently directing Hugh Bonneville in Shadowlands at the Aldwych Theatre), legendary choreographer Anthony Van Laast (Mamma Mia, Kiss Me, Kate) with musical supervision by Stephen Ridley (The King and I, Anything Goes).
Audiences are immersed in a dazzling world of champagne-sparkled evenings, razor-sharp comedy, and the timeless sophistication of Cole Porter in one of the great classic musicals of all time. Based on the play The Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and a book by Arthur Kopit, plus additional Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, this glittering new production promises a heady cocktail of romance, wit, mistaken identity and irresistible musical charm.
Featuring Porter classics such as Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, I Love Paris, Well Did You Evah?,Just One Of Those Things, Let’s Misbehave, You’re Sensational, and the swooningly romantic True Love, High Society will be the unmissable musical event of the year.
Clear your diary, because you’re invited to the most swell party of the year, High Society. Hot on the heels of Anything Goes and Kiss Me, Kate, the summer’s most eagerly anticipated production delivers another glorious dose of Golden Age musical theatre escapism. Join the 28-strong cast for this lavish new production as plans for the society wedding of the year descend into chaos, with old flames and new flames vying for attention as a sharp-eyed tabloid reporter hunts for scandal at the waterfront estate.
High Society comes to Leeds Grand Theatre from Tue 25 – Sat 29 August 2025. Book tickets online at leedsheritagetheatres.com or call the Box Office on 0113 243 0808
Social media handles: @grandtheatrels1 and @highsocietymusical
Photography by Pamela Raith Photography.
