Preview: MTW Presents ‘Anything Goes’

Mistaken identities, star-crossed lovers and gangsters on a cruise ship, MTW’s Anything Goes sounds like a big project but the cast and crew seem more than capable of taking it on. After sitting down with some of the cast and director, Jack Plummer, as well as sitting at their rehearsal on Sunday (no Valentine’s Day plans for these dedicated performers!) I am very excited to see their performance next week. It is a step back in time from MTW’s more recent performances. Anything Goes has its roots in 1934 and has been on and off both Broadway and the West End ever since. Despite this step into the past, director Jack has been inspired by the multiple theatre adaptations most significantly the 2011 Broadway Revival featuring Sutton Foster, in its mode of taking the classic musical and making it more relevant today.

This show seems to really be a musical-lover’s musical with the dances being described as “technically challenging” by Rob Madge (Moonface) and indeed, the rehearsal I sat in was an intense 11 hour day of dancing with a promise of big dance numbers. The musical was chosen for its funny and charming qualities, the fun aspect something that Jack feels is an important part of really enjoying theatre at a student level. It is due to be a very varied performance featuring dancing, singing and even tap-dancing – something that a lot of the cast hadn’t known before going into the show. Jack jokingly tells me that the most challenging part of the rehearsal process for him has been keeping a cast of thirty people quiet! On Sunday’s rehearsal it was both clear how hard they have been working and yes, how it is sometimes difficult to get the attention of 30 people.

 a quick-fire script and a scene that involves thirty exits and entrances

But what challenges have the cast been facing individually? For Kelly Slade, playing Erma, it has been a matter of trying to drop her “northern twang” in favour of a Jersey accent. Beth Baxter, who is playing heiress Hope Harcout, the challenges involved not only tap dancing but “getting the confidence up to be able to perform – singing and dancing in front of everyone else has been really new for me, but really good fun”.  Beth, in her first year at Warwick, has been inaugurated into the musical and welcomed with open arms into MTW. For Doug Cairns playing her love interest, Billy, it is holding up the standards of the show. With a quick-fire script and a scene that involves thirty exits and entrances, the show needs to be thoroughly rehearsed to appear as polished as they want it to be! And I wouldn’t expect less from the MTW cast and crew who have been rehearsing since November.

Despite these challenges, the cast seem really happy with the rehearsal process. Sophie Thomas, a member of the ensemble, describes it akin to having the dual identity of a superhero – a Historian by day and a musical theatre performer by night. They all comment on how they’ve enjoyed bonding and getting to know each other both during rehearsals, as well as outside from engaging in community performances such as fundraising for the local sea scouts in Coventry to nights out in Leamington such as “Anything Glows”. Sitting in the rehearsal, as more and more people slowly filter in, I really saw the lovely sense of friendship that they have been talking about.

the very accomplished orchestra allow for an amazing performance

Dancing and acting aside, the audience can definitely expect a good, strong musical soundtrack. I felt compelled to ask the cast their favourites from it and they managed to whittle it down to a few for you to revise before seeing the show!

“I Get a Kick Out of You” – recommended by Rob, Doug and Kelly, the opening number of the show and described as setting the tone very well and unashamedly Broadway. “Overture” – recommended by Doug, stating that the very accomplished orchestra allow for an amazing performance  “It’s De lovely” – recommended by Beth “because I get to be a little bit happier as a character” “Anything Goes” – recommended by Jack, who although likes all of the songs, is really looking forward to seeing this on stage “Blow Gabriel Blow” – recommended by Sophie as being really fun to perform “Buddie, Beware” – recommended by Kelly

So there you have it, with this small playlist in mind for you to get into the mood, do buy tickets and see Anything Goes at the Arts Centre between Wednesday 24^th and Saturday 27^th February.

To buy tickets and for more information check out http://www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/whats-on/2016/mtw-anything-goes/