High Society (2003)
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Book by Arthur Kopit
High Society was originally based on Philip Barry's 1939 comedy, The Philadelphia Story. This production at the Open Air Theatre was directed by Ian Talbot, and featured Annette McLaughlin Tracie Bennett amongst the cast. Bennett was loved by critics, who dubbed her as "an exquisitely brash Liz Imbrie" (The Guardian), and she was nominated for an Olivier Award for 'Best Supporting Actress'. The production also received an Olivier Award nominated as ‘Best Revival of a Musical', and it subsequently embarked on a UK Tour produced by Mark Goucher and Adam Kenwright.
The cast
Annette McLaughlin
Tracy Lord
![Annette McLaughlin in High Society (2003)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/647b9f734ff3e1bdae0c396c6e062413417432c8_annette-mclaughlin.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Peter Forbes
Seth Lord
![Peter Forbes in High Society (2003)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/9f8a877b65cc006dc6851bec998b3c73e0fb1541_peter_forbes_large.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Brigit Forsyth
Mother Lord
![Brigit Forsyth in High Society (2003)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/c22d704e8fd864e2ac6735bae82b9a7f52facdf2_f00004872-0102.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Claire Redcliffe
Dinah Lord
![Claire Redcliffe in High Society (2003)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/d1de44d7206f1a8152a422e6596f6c45403ebd40_f00071866-0115.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Dale Rapley
Dexter Haven
![Dale Rapley in High Society (2003)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/d5f5f066fbf1cbdbdc0fcbfad1860a4791f61875_m00013092-01.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Walter Van Dyk
George Kittredge
![Walter Van Dyk in High Society (2003)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/c0fa3930e937826d9c25681143d55f4cfe6f1e12_m18190.0111.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Hal Fowler
Mike Connor
![Hal Fowler in High Society (2003)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/380a80a0abf7d6a61375116c808a9262954a8a90_m00005520-0107.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Tracie Bennett
Liz Imbrie
![Tracie Bennett in High Society (2003)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/0f2fb3b307414cbf7d6d8fa0fee399558f6f5bda_f1107.jpg?auto=compress,format)
John Conroy
Butler
![John Conroy in High Society (2003)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/fe71d53960c55c0650881c0337525a58c8320639_m00003241-01.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Jamie Beamish
Servant
![Jamie Beamish in High Society (2003)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/214554328294c2738996861e8394f7b181b6a0a4_m00067442-0104.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Vivien Care
Servant
![Vivien Care in High Society (2003)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/4939c47a0c017ad6ce8d7f472caff0c77afc43c5_th_vivien_care.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Gerard Carey
Servant
![Gerard Carey in High Society (2003)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/19b1a163d89c8c9d3a2ae3465f5fea2003054d11_m00081273-01.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Neil Ditt
Servant
![Neil Ditt in High Society (2003)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/eea757b8a15f91a33901d0fa3501349e57ade297_m75756.jpg?auto=compress,format)
John Stacey
Servant
![John Stacey in High Society (2003)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/ffbe7fb82e507ff8106903d216429362a6d9ef5d_m00044389-0106.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Brian Green
Uncle Willy
Lucy Cound
Servant
Penny-Belle Fowler
Servant
David Galloway
Servant
Juliette Leighton-Jones
Violin
Duncan Lamont Jnr
Woodwind
Richard Hammond
Trumpet
Liam Kirkman
Trombone
Graham Taylor
Banjo/Guitar
David Berry
Double Bass/Tuba
Robert Millett
Percussion
Catherine Jayes
MD/Keyboards
Creative team
Ian Talbot
Director
![Ian Talbot in High Society (2003)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/c88065685fb71c8db951442f4c46845b06e25330_picture-038.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Steven Edis
Arranger
![Steven Edis in High Society (2003)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/7694980da7f007bf36fbde0a27b31fa87f7e2a2b_steven-edis.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Gillian Gregory
Choreographer
![Gillian Gregory in High Society (2003)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/e8f124b671468082558c219a7fbc26e44c65b5f3_gilliangregorywebsite.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Designer
Paul Farnsworth
Musical Director
Catherine Jayes
Lighting Designer
Jason Taylor
Sound Designer
Simon Whitehorn
Dialect Coach
Charmian Hoare
Assistant Director
Laura Baggaley
Programmes and Marketing
Costumes
Rehearsals
Reviews
The Guardian
"Captivating" "Tracie Bennett... (is) an exquisitely brash Liz Imbrie"
Awards
Outstanding Musical Production
Olivier Award: Nominated
Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Olivier Award: Nominated