Cole Porter’s glamorous and hit-laden musical High Society is coming to Norwich Theatre Royal as part of a UK tour this month, with Call the Midwife star Helen George as its leading lady.
Helen is swapping the East End for America’s East Coast to take the part of Long Island socialite Tracy Lord. It’s a switch that has brought back childhood memories thanks to her dad’s love of jazz.
“So I grew up listening to all the greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra singing those wonderful Cole Porter melodies. Doing this show is really special for me because this is the music that I grew up with and sang along to.
“It’s a wonderful, fabulous, sophisticated escape of an evening, with a huge orchestra and a big brass section. There’s just so much joy in this show, the costumes are incredible, the songs are amazing, and I’m over the moon with the cast and crew that I get to work with.”
Based on the classic 1956 film (which in turn was based on the 1939 stage comedy The Philadelphia Story), High Society revolves around a Long Island wedding circa 1951, with old and new flames vying for attention as sharp-eyed reporter Mike Connor (played by Fox) hunts around for some tabloid-worthy scandal.
As the planned nuptials descend into comedy chaos, Helen’s character is right at the centre.
“She’s a very interesting character. One of my first questions was ‘Why would we care about her?’ because on paper she’s got it all. She lives in this fantastic house and there’s so much wealth behind her, but ultimately it’s a story about human relations and Tracy is trying to control her life in the best way that she can.
“I think what’s interesting about her is that she’s a divorced woman in 1951, which is rare and actually quite brave. It’s interesting to explore the fact that she’s free and independent and only needs a man for love, not money.
“There are really relatable themes about love and pain amidst all the fun and fantastic songs.”
Those songs include songbook classics such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Well, Did You Evah! and Just One of Those Things. For this new production the score has been expanded with a selection of additional Cole Porter numbers including I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Let’s Do It, You Do Something to Me and You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To.
Best known for Call the Midwife on screen and the recent acclaimed revival of Rogers and Hammerstein’s The King and I on stage, George is no stranger to period costumes. Playing English governess Anna Leonowens in 1860s Siam in the latter, she was confined by corsets. Are the early-1950s outfits in High Society less restrictive?
“Well, you’d think so, but I’m still never far away from a corset! It’s a different silhouette, though, with that kind of Dior A-line skirt with a tight-fitting top silhouette, rather than long, hooped and heavy skirts. The refined elegance of the costumes is just beautiful.”
Helen studied musical theatre at the Royal Academy of Music in London, toured as a backing singer for Elton John, then landed the role of Nurse Trixie on Call the Midwife. Fourteen years on, the character remains dear to her heart.
“Normally at this time of year we’re filming a new series but we’re having a break, so it’s weird not seeing my friends in the cast. Call the Midwife is always going to be a part of me and I hope in my future as well. I’m hoping that my time as Trixie hasn’t come to an end just yet.”
After strutting her stuff on Strictly Come Dancing, George returned to her musical theatre roots in The King and I. It felt like a homecoming.
“It was always something that I had in my back pocket to go back to, but it wasn’t something that I wanted to focus on when I was younger. It took a lot of nerve coming back to it because I’d only really done plays over the previous 15 years, but I’m loving it.”
- High Society is at Norwich Theatre Royal from 15-19 September, tickets £52.26-£76.32.