Anything Goes

Trevor Nunn's triumphant production of Cole Porter's musical has lost nothing in its transfer from the National to this smaller West End stage.

If anything, the loud exuberance of cast and orchestra (the latter still housed in John Gunter's ingenious revolving ocean liner set) is concentrated into an even more explosive burst of energy.

The tale of loves lost and won on a 1930s cruise - complete with singing siren evangelists, real and fake gangsters and randy sailors - is really just an excuse for some terrific musical numbers, and Nunn does full justice to its pure entertainment value.

The main cast remains almost the same, apart from Barry Ingham's admirable adoption of the role of myopic and alcoholic tycoon Eli Whitney (played at the National by the late Denis Quilley).

All bring as much zest to their parts as before, with Sally Ann Triplett threatening to burst eardrums as Reno Sweeney, John Barrowman (lovelorn Billy Crocker) only just holding his own in their duet You're The Top. And Simon Day still manages to steal all his scenes as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, the stereotypical English toff.

With seamless movement throughout, some sensational dance sequences and the big numbers taking the roof off, you come out of this show dancing.

Anything Goes