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Anything Goes Extends Three Months in West End

Anything Goes - Trevor Nunn's Olivier Award-winning final musical as artistic director of the National Theatre - has extended its West End season by three months after receiving rave reviews following this Tuesday's opening (previews from 24 September) at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The show had been scheduled for a limited season to 17 January 2004. It's now taking bookings up to 1 May 2004.

Nunn's revival of the Cole Porter classic originally opened in December 2003 at the NT Olivier, where it had a sell-out three-and-a-half month season, culminating with the win of this year's Laurence Olivier for Outstanding Musical Production.

In the West End, the majority of the original cast - including Sally Ann Triplett (as Reno Sweeney), John Barrowman (Billy Crocker), Simon Day (Lord Evelyn), Martin Marquez (Moonface Martin), Annette McLaughlin (Erma) and Mary Stockley (Hope Harcourt) - reprising their roles. Barrie Ingham has replaced the late Denis Quilley (See News, 6 Oct 2003) as millionaire Elisha Whitney.

Originally seen on Broadway in 1934 and in London a year later, Anything Goes has an original book by Guy Bolton and PG Wodehouse, with music and lyrics by Porter, whose other musicals include High Society and Kiss Me Kate. The score includes "I Get a Kick Out of You", "You're the Top", "Blow Gabriel Blow", "It's De-lovely", "Be Like the Bluebird" and the title song.

The National revival has a revised book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman, choreography by Stephen Mear, design by John Gunter, costumes by Anthony Powell, lighting by David Hersey and musical arrangements by Michael Gibson. The musical supervisor is Gareth Valentine, who conducts the 20-strong orchestra. Anything Goes is presented in the West End by David Ian for Clear Channel Entertainment.

- by Terri Paddock

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