Jerry Hall Toasts High Society in West End???

We’ve heard rumours that Cole Porter’s High Society - which proved a hit in summer 2003 at London’s Open Air Theatre, where it prompted the venue’s first-ever extension of its summer repertory season – may be back in London soon. However, this time in the commercial West End and with a rather major cast addition. Jerry Hall is tipped to play posh matriarch Mother Lord. Record-breaking exercises aside (See The Goss, 24 Feb 2004), Hall was last seen in the West End in 2000, playing Mrs Robinson in The Graduate. Last October, she was due to star in the world premiere of one-woman show My Darlin’ Janey at north London’s King’s Head Theatre but pulled out following disagreements with the director and a reported bout of glandular fever (See News, 13 Oct 2004). Based on Philip Barry's stage play The Philadelphia Story (itself currently being revived at the West End’s Old Vic), High Society includes now-classic Porter songs like "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire", "You're Sensational", "True Love" and "Swell Party". Last September, following its initial London season, the revival, directed by Open Air artistic director Ian Talbot, embarked on an extensive UK-wide tour, featuring Coronation Street’s Susie Blake as Mother Lord (See News, 21 May 2004).

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