Reader Reviews
Anything Goes (Theatre Royal Drury Lane, West End)
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 | This is the most fantastic show I have seen for a long time in the West End. John Barrowman and Simon Day were perfection. This takes nothing from the rest of the cast who were absolutely brilliant. I left the theatre feeling exhausted after dancing and singing every step with the cast!The orchestra were also absolutely brilliant, especially in the pub at half time... Many repeat visits did nothing to diminish its feel-good factor, and the run has finished far too soon. Congratulations on an absolutely fabulous show! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (62.254.0.38) | 28 Aug 04 |
| OH FOR GOD'S SAKE! This is a carbon copy of the dull Elaine Paige production from 1989 and nothing has changed in the last fifteen years. This even has John Barrowman playing the same juvenile role he played with Paige. Completely unimaginative. I cant understand why the National felt this was worthy of a revival, dancing dull, cast bored and theatre almost empty. Spend £10 on seeing FORUM instead. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (62.255.64.8) | 22 Aug 04 |
| Heaven. I saw the last night at the National (also Trevor Nunn's last night at the national) and it was brilliant. Quite a few standing ovations. Brilliant music & dancing. I really didn't want it to end. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.93.34.14) | 21 Aug 04 |
| I have seen it twice now and hope to go again before it closes. This really is what musicals are all about FANTASTIC. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (62.49.34.42) | 04 Aug 04 |
| From Mrs San Pietro Vancouver BC Canada What a wonderful show this is. Everything about the show was just perfect. Thank you everyone for a very happy night at the theatre. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (212.137.34.25) | 03 Aug 04 |
| Outstanding. SAT is a true star and if she doesn't become a household name within the next year i'll eat my pants. John Stacey was on for Barrowman but the gap wasn't noticed.A great night out! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.93.34.14) | 05 Jul 04 |
| Saw the show last month and thought that it was AMAZING. I was not too keen on going as I hated the touring production a few years back with Jonothon Morris and Gemma Craven, and I thought that this would just be the same. This production from NT is classy and sophisticated. Sally Ann Triplet gave a sensational performance as Reno - she sang with amazing vocal energy and sustained this throuought. John barrowan is sure to do a lot more in the furture - he is so talented and I think he is the best musical theatre male artist that there is. Other perfotmances, especially Moonface matin were good. I was particularly taken with the set - it was clever and worked very well - it seemingly weighs 7 tonnes! I was upset when My Fair Lady closed, but it has been replaced with a true reminder of musical theatre - just hope The Producers is good. Well done NT! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (194.105.168.6) | 04 Jul 04 |
| I had never really been bothered about seeing this show, it just never really appealed to me. However since they said it was closing i thought i would give it the benefit of the doubt. So on satuday afternoon i did not expecting it to become one of the best shows that i have seen!!! From start to finish i loved it. It was fantatsic, everything about this show has a 100% feel good factor and you cannot help but smile. The big dance numbers are out of this world. The set simple but very clever, the songs brilliant and for a matinee you could not fault one of the performrs they gave it their all, i don't know how they were going to do another show with just a hour break. Sally Anne Triplett steels the show she has an absolutly amazing voice and well deserves her awards! John Barrowman again was fantastic as was everyone else! I urge anyone to go to see this fantastic show im sure you will not be dissapointed. If you like Millie and Chicago you will love this! You thought the tap dancing was good in Millie? You haven't seen anything yet!!! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (217.137.94.49) | 29 Jun 04 |
| Actually beats CHICAGO as the best evening at a musical in London. Rush to see it before it closes on August 28th.... - USER: Whatsonstage.com (81.130.133.7) | 26 May 04 |
| Great fun, excellent dance routines, fantastic performances. Go now! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (81.174.228.177) | 10 May 04 |
| Amazing: set, music, singing, choreography, and comedy. -Only weakness was the tap dancing, don't know why the marketing people hyped it up. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (81.133.136.1) | 30 Apr 04 |
| I am a fan of the songs in thsi show and was hoping for a fun-filled cheesy evening. I can't put my finger on it, but the set, the story, the characters, everything really, just didn't have any "OOMPH" which I hoped for. Still worth seeing, however, I won't be sad to see it go. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (213.249.155.231) | 22 Apr 04 |
| Energetic, fantastic music, but as my elderly companion said the second half was a bit "silly", but never the less one of the best...!!! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.157.51.244) | 22 Apr 04 |
| I loved it. Annette McGlaughlin understudied Reno but I thought she was excellent and love the tone of her voice. I'm desperate to see it again before it closes - USER: Whatsonstage.com (212.135.1.50) | 26 Mar 04 |
| Exceeded my expectations. An exceptionally good production. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (82.34.177.22) | 10 Mar 04 |
| This show is outstanding!! Great cast, great dancing, and cole porter's music is simply outstanding! Go and see it while you can. It's the tops :) - USER: Whatsonstage.com (213.22.247.49) | 17 Feb 04 |
| F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S.!! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (213.122.58.199) | 21 Jan 04 |
| FABULOUS!!! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (213.122.58.199) | 21 Jan 04 |
| Absolutly outstanding!!! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (213.122.58.199) | 21 Jan 04 |
| Absolutly outstanding!!! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (213.122.58.199) | 21 Jan 04 |
| A special perk of living in cities such as New York and London is the unique opportunity to expose oneself to the best in theatre. This production will far exceed all your expectations in a musical. The theatre is worth the ticket price itself, the stage management surperb, the staff friendly and accommodating, and the musical providing some of the best acting, singing and dancing I have seen anywhere on either side of the big pond. If you are traveling and want to get more than your money's worth in value, this is it! It is a 'make you feel good' night out that will transcend you out of London's midwinter blues! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (82.43.173.214) | 17 Jan 04 |
| Just amazing. Saw the Wednesday Matinee and even for this show the cast gave their all. As part of a group of 40 or so seasoned theatre-goers from Somerset, we were unanimous in thinking this one of the best shows any of us had ever seen. This has to be the most enjoyable 3 hours you can spend in a theatre. Excellent all round. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (194.200.154.253) | 15 Jan 04 |
| Wonderful show. Sally Ann Triplett was amazing. John Barrowman was ill the day I saw it, and if he is better than the understudy, then he must be amazing. Loved the scenery and the choregraphy was great. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (213.249.129.3) | 11 Jan 04 |
| I expected to love it but it felt very old-fashioned and left me cold. The big dance numbers were great but the rest was infantile (probably because I couldn't get into it). - USER: Whatsonstage.com (193.118.203.3) | 23 Dec 03 |
| If youre feeling down go and see this. It will soon perk you up. The dancing is wonderfully choreographed, the music is fantastic, the costumes beautiful. The cast are brilliant. Top marks to John Barrowman and Sally-Ann Triplett who ooze chemistry on stage and give a truly memorable performance. A real visual treat! Anyone who sees this and doesn't enjoy it must be asleep. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (205.188.209.82) | 21 Dec 03 |
| This show is a must see - USER: Whatsonstage.com (62.189.229.61) | 17 Dec 03 |
| Im giving this show a 2 after seeing it last night. I think im being generous for giving it 2. The show was fairly dull all the way through. Its was terrible but I wouldn't recommend it - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.93.34.14) | 17 Dec 03 |
| Saw "AG" for the second time on Saturday. Got to be one of the best shows in town! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (217.33.236.165) | 16 Dec 03 |
| Just fabulous. I couldn't gush enough about how much I enjoyed this. Sally-Ann Triplett is just amazingly uplifting. Just being on stage brightens up the entire auditorium. But the same is true of the whole cast. Thank you everyone involved, you've made my year. x - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.93.34.14) | 03 Dec 03 |
| What a disappoinment!!!!! I was so looking forward to seeing this show, but it looks and feels like a cheap summer stock production. The set and costumes look cheap. The cast is quite hammy (especially Martin Marquez, who brings nothing to his character and doesn't even look like he is having fun.) The only bright spot in this whole tired evening is John Barrowman, who is his usually excellent self! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (12.103.239.82) | 20 Nov 03 |
| Fabulous. Wahta great production. Sally Ann Triplett is a true star and the dancing is amazing. Well worth a visit and a welcome addition to the West End (albeit a revival!) - USER: Whatsonstage.com (217.35.141.121) | 04 Nov 03 |
| I'm a 71-year-old theatre-goer and it's the best musical I've seen. It depends on talent, not glitzy effects. Nobody can beat Cole Porter music. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (152.163.252.227) | 04 Nov 03 |
| After all the great reviews I was excited to have tickets to a Saturday nights performance. It was very disappointing for the whole of the first half until the last number when it finally had life. It just feels far too old fashioned, even though the music itself is fabulous. Not that impressed!! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (81.99.30.147) | 02 Nov 03 |
| I'm with the WoS reviewer about the show being a bit too pleased with itself and in a super all-round show there were a couple of performances where the value of restraint could be appreciated: Annette McLaughlin was fabulous in High Society so why does she need mug so hard at the audience in this piece ... although her routine with the Sailors (in which she looks like Princess Diana with the notorious "nine men") is a camp classic. And Sally Ann Triplett (just what HAS she been doing since failing to win us the Eurovision Song Contest in 1982) could work a little less hard and still turn in a vivacious performance which stopped short of Toyah-in-Calamity-Jane desperation to please - as she and those two cousins of Paul Macca sang in "One Step Further" - 'you could have turned around and hit me and I wouldn't have cared' - she's so please to BE there on stage! And, Sally Ann love, have a listen to Kim Criswell sing 'Blow Gabriel Blow' on the CD and learn how to elide the notes. But then, Kimmy didn't have to hoof her way through a quarter of an hour of tap at the same time. Standing-in for the late and much-loved Denis Quilley is another where-has-he-been-since-the-seventies throwback, Barrie Ingham. His TV show was called 'Hine' by the way (to save you a sleepless night or a Google search) ... and he seems to have been in the same two-dimensional acting class as La McLaughlin for this particular show. BUT - BUT, BUT, BUT ... it's worth every penny of the £45 plus booking fee for the absolute pleasure of seeing SIMON DAY as the English chinless wonder transformed in 'The Gypsy In Me'. Tom Hanks-tall and lanky, and obviously Bill Night's love child, but with hair-perfect comic timing. Ladies and Gentlemen - we have our Leo Bloom for the transfer of The Producers. I wonder if Alexei Sayle is available to play Biyalistock. Cameron, are you listening to me? Cameron!!! (John H) - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.93.34.14) | 25 Oct 03 |
| enjoyed it. a very, very good night out. wish there were musicals of that kind. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (81.168.20.2) | 24 Oct 03 |
| It was good - but the show next door at The Strand is better. Three real men in Rat Pack - Live from Las Vegas. There's too many sailors in this show! Deanne - USER: Whatsonstage.com (164.36.141.145) | 23 Oct 03 |
| Saw it for the second time last night...and was once again mightily impressed.Brilliant in every respect. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.166.17.214) | 22 Oct 03 |
| Absolutely sensational - USER: Whatsonstage.com (82.34.176.189) | 19 Oct 03 |
| Best Act 2 in London By Far. It's a little slow and disjointed until the signature number Anything Goes kicks off at the end of Act 1, but thereafter it's an absolute riot. The set is a bit of a disappointment, and it's kind of annoying the way they start the overture and entr'acte a few minutes early so you miss most of them while the audience are faffing around, but otherwise - not to be missed! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (62.49.29.221) | 18 Oct 03 |
| My daughter & I saw the show last night and it was absolutely wonderful. The highlight for us was John Barrowman what a talented man he is. His voice, dancing and acting out of this world. We met him after the show and he is a true gentlemen. Well done to all the cast for a memorable show, the best we've seen in a long while! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (80.1.102.232) | 17 Oct 03 |
| I went ot see this with Whatsonstage last night - I had already seen it at the National and didn't enjoy it that much but last night it seems to have improved greatly had somethinig I don't know what and X factor I suppose, it was great. And I got to meet several of the cast afterwards, great night! well done! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (82.35.62.168) | 17 Oct 03 |
| I went last night with the Whatsonstage.com party. What a great night. The show was superb and all of the main cast members joined us for drinks in the bar afterwards. I loved it. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (82.35.62.168) | 17 Oct 03 |
| A marvellous night out! Sally Ann Triplett is simply outstanding; such power, stamina and sassiness but shouldn't be singled out as everyone shines. They all make it look totally effortless. The title song is worth £45 on its own! The set looks less impressive on the Drury Lane stage but it is only a framework for these magical tunes and performances. Do not miss it, simple as that. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.93.34.14) | 14 Oct 03 |
| Yes, the first 40 minutes of the show don't have the highlights of the rest of the show, yes I was sat next to the most miserable couple this side of Istanbul, but for most of Anything Goes, I had a smile as wide as the Atlantic on my face. This show was a complete joy and pleasure. The costumes, the band, the choreography... Everyone was on absolute top form tonight. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (81.86.174.147) | 14 Oct 03 |
| I though it would be good, but my God WHAT A PRODUCTION ... I loved every minute of it. Absolutley the best dancing I've seen in many many years, beautiful costumes, a great cast (and so many of them) the best band in London (including Chicago!) ... I could go on and on. A totally unexpected pleasure. Thank God it transferred because I couldn't get in at The National. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (81.79.109.73) | 11 Oct 03 |
| One of the greatest productions I've ever seen. Without doubt the best show on in London at the moment. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.166.17.214) | 09 Oct 03 |
| A totally wonderful night out. The show is a piece of ridiculous fluff really but the songs are so memorable and the cast so utterly brilliant that it is probably the most enjoyable night's theatre in London at the moment. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (82.35.62.168) | 09 Oct 03 |
| a joy, if you missed the NT run this is a pre Christmas treat - for all the family! enjoy..... - USER: Whatsonstage.com (217.13.129.151) | 08 Oct 03 |
| By far the BEST show in london. a wonderful production- great costumes and a lovely set, wonderful perfoamnces and the best dancing on a london stage. UNMISSABLE. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.93.34.13) | 27 Sep 03 |
| Having had no idea of what to expect from this show (the tickets were a gift) I was at first disappointed, until about 30 minutes before the end of the first half when the action started hotting up. The second half was brilliant and made up for the slow start. And yes, me and my friends were the ones singing 'Anything Goes' down to Leicester Square at the top of our voices! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (12.39.71.50) | 25 Sep 03 |
| I saw this production in January at the National and it is the most beautiful and sensational musical ever. The cast, lead by Sally Ann Triplet as Reno, are so powerful. It really diserves to thrive in Dury Lane, where will visit to see it again. You come out of the theatre with a smile on your face, a spring in your step, humming the title song and feeling that you have seen a worthwhile production - and the ticket price well spent. If you haven't seen it treat yourself this autumn. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (194.105.168.6) | 01 Jun 03 |
| this is the most fabulous show to see in london. I saw it at NT and the news its moving into town is just wonderful. The choreography is the best on the london stage, the performancs wonderful..beautiful set, glorious costumes, and Amazing Music. How nice for the current best show in town (my fair lady) to be succeeded by this glorious show., - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.93.50.13) | 13 May 03 |
| see it - USER: Whatsonstage.com (163.119.205.210) | 27 Feb 03 |
| Anything goes has never been my favorite musical. While the music is eminantly catchy, the book is merely a vehicle for Cole Porter's sparkling wit. However, if I was to say that I was blown away by this production I would not be far from the mark. Trevor Nunn's direction is superb. The cast move through the show like it's the most natural thing in the world to burst out into song at a moments notice. The ship-like set not only means that the orchestra can be included but that otherwise painfully static scenes are bursting with life. I went with a friend who absolutely hates musicals and she hasn't shut up about it since. One of the current London theatre's must sees!!! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (134.219.102.209) | 24 Feb 03 |
| Very polished. The production numbers are done with plenty of energy and the singing is spot-on. I liked the set which, given the Olivier's limitations, was cleverly built and used. If I had a criticism, I'd say that there was little innovation in the show. But as a night of entertainment, it was just fine. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (12.3.33.9) | 27 Jan 03 |
| Very disappointing rehash which fails to follow Porter's original and further hampers matters with irrelevant text updates. Once again TRevor Nunn demonstrates a sad lack of sympathy with the musical form. Most serious of all, the production lacks the dynamite personality and energy necessary to keep the soufle from collapsing. Instead it rather resembles the local amdram society. A three is an undeserved gift. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.93.50.8) | 21 Jan 03 |
| The first act is a bit slow but the second act zings. The show is a bit of froth, so the attempt to make the Reno-Billy-Hope triangle somewhat serious is misguided. A fun evening, though I wonder why the National is doing this show, as it's not even a new version. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (217.154.50.170) | 16 Jan 03 |
| It's hard to imagine spending £14 better - I just couldn't stop smiling the whole way through. Criticisms about the set are perhaps valid, but at least it allows the fantastic big-band orchestra to be included - a rare event for the pitless Olivier. John Barrowman was ill last night again, but his understudy was pretty great, bringing a wonderful naivety and charm to the role which easily outbalanced his perhaps slightly weaker voice. It would be a shame for this not to transfer, but if Kiss Me Kate couldn't fill houses consistently then this won't either - especially as it has no big names. The only disappointment for me was the average age of the audience - far too high for a Friday night. This is the kind of show that should be converting younger audiences to the joys of the theatre. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (217.41.30.201) | 11 Jan 03 |
| Quite slow to start, and the set is pretty dull, but this warmed up to one of the best National musicals I have seen. All the leads were very well cast, and seemed to be having as much fun as the audience. The big ensemble numbers of "Anything Goes" and "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" were equal to the best the National has done before eg "Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat" from Guys and Dolls and "The Farmer and the Cowman can be Friends" from Oklahoma. Excellent production - better value than anything currently in the West End. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (217.206.120.227) | 08 Jan 03 |
| I have to give this five stars as it sent me out singing and dancing into the choking car park. The number Anything Goes is worth the price of a ticket alone. But I was disappointed in the lead man and the romantic lady - wet and not very good dancers. Oh for a star in the lead or better still, someone new out to make his name. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (213.1.131.88) | 07 Jan 03 |
| Excellent - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.252.38.65) | 06 Jan 03 |
| I must admit that I was not impressed with this show at first. On entering the theatre I saw a rather banal big white ship that didn't look very authentic. The first 15 minutes didn't grab my attention or excite me and at first I thought Sally Ann Tripplet was not meaty enough to play the lead. However, from about 'You're The Top' onwards it just seem to take off and turned into one of my best nights at the theatre. The set developed and various sets came out of the doors, the top deck lit up and a couple of times the orchestra appeared up there so rescused the set a bit. The songs, dances and humour just got better and better and my initial doubts about Sally Ann Tripplet disappeared as she proved to be a magnificent Reno Sweeney. I thought that John Barrowman as Billy was fantastic and Martin Marquez as Moonface Martin nearly stole the show if it hadn't been for Simon Day's Lord Evelyn who stole the show with 'The Gypsy In Me' which was absolutely hilarious. Annette McLaughlin as Erma was a knockout and had some of the funniest lines. 'Anything Goes' and 'Blow Gabriel, Blow' were some of the most joyous and best choreographed scenes I have seen on the west end stage in a long time. This turned out to be fantastic night at the theatre and has got to be the best revival I've seen. I hope it gets to the west end as it certainly deserves a long run. 'You're The Top' sums it up - this show is the top. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (62.254.64.5) | 20 Dec 02 |
| This is a truly stupendous production. Go see it. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.166.17.214) | 20 Dec 02 |
| Saw the opening last night. Really loved the show for the most part. Great songs set in a weak book. The style of Nunn's production hits just the right note for that sort of 30's style fluffy comedy - so if you like that sort of thing then its fab. The cast are terrific on the whole. Sally Ann Triplett is perfect casting and sings up a storm. John Barrowman is in fine voice and looks a million dollars. Denis Quilley is outstanding as always and shows everyone else how its done. The only weak link I would say was the girl who played Hope, shes just dull. The choreography is electric and the tap numbers raise the roof. Within the ensemble, Daniel Crossley stands out a mile but they are all working really hard. All in all a terrific evening with songs to die for. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (194.117.133.118) | 19 Dec 02 |
| You'd have to be pretty thick-skinned to resist the innocent charm of Anything Goes, and especially with such a high energy production and cast. It's hard to go wrong with those songs too with witty lyrics that actually say something (take note, Don Black). I've never seen a production of Anything Goes, and perhaps my novice's perspective leaves me somewhat lacking in the critical department, but as a lively, life-affirming jolly romp I find it hard to fault. Special mention due to Sally Ann Triplett who really gets her teeth into saucy red-head evangelist turned nightclub singer Reno Sweeney. And the high end of John Barrowman's vocal range is really very pleasing! Good for a jolly old knees-up. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (194.117.133.118) | 19 Dec 02 |
