Anything Goes - Barbican / U.K.Tour

On reflection, do we think that Megan Mullally would’ve been able to do the level of tap that Sutton seems to be doing? I just can’t picture her in the role.

Does anyone know what time the show ends? I’m just trying to plan my journey home!

I think she'd have been a really wonderful Reno, but I imagine the big dance numbers would have differed a little...

Finally booked for this. Can't wait, it's going to be really special. I saw Sutton Foster in Shrek on Broadway and she was the only enjoyable part of an absolutely dour night out. I really can't wait. Love me some Sutton Foster!!! T&T triple threat from the old school - there are very few who can do it well. (Clare Halse is just about the best I can think of otherwise).

Will they replace Sutton for the final week, or just have alternates on instead? What do we think?

Agreed - Vivien Carter is the understudy and is a super performer so I think she'll do a great job.

I do not envy her for having to fill Sutton’s shoes!

Sutton deserves the Olivier Award. I cannot see Aimee Atkinson winning the Oliver for Pretty Woman, nor Samantha Barks for Frozen, whoever is playing the lead female in Moulin Rouge? Is very possible. Carrie Hope Fletcher I cannot see winning for Cinderella, as the Olivier committee don’t seem the sort that would go for Carrie, I guess they’re not your young social media generation. Back to the Future and Prince of Egypt don’t have a leading female.

I would think and hope Sutton has this in the bag, you don’t see tap dancing like that every day on a London stage. she is a true treble threat.

It is great after theatre being dark for 16 months I can talk about awards, especially as there has been a recent Olivier Awards.

WOW WOW WOW.

What a night! Full review tomorrow as I’m still just basking in the glow.

Absolutely would love to see this! Does anyone know of anyway to get cheap tickets as the tickets are fairly expensive! Would do rush but ideally need 3

Fromtheboxoffice were doing deals up until it opened. Doesn’t look like it’s still available. Dynamic pricing is in place so best to keep checking in. I got a ticket for £45 that was £90 a few days before - single seat though, so you may not get that good a deal with dynamic pricing for 3 seats.

I'm still smiling from ear to ear after last night. I'd been to see Death Drop at the Garrick a couple of months ago, and it was lovely to be back in a West End theatre, but I do really consider this as my theatrical return post Covid and I could not have asked for a warmer welcome back.

Firstly, the crowd! Oh, the joy! What an absolute buzz in the cavernous Barbican space before the show. Champagne corks popping, people dressed up to the nines, friends and families reuniting in a shared experience. It was just a beautiful start to the evening. And there were more gays than I've seen anywhere outside of a Kylie concert.

As for the show... We were sitting in Row B of the stalls and so had amazing close up seats. I'm looking forward to seeing it again from further back just to take in the spectacle from more of a distance. It's hard to say how excited I was to see Sutton Foster in this role. My expectations were very high, and they were surpassed. Sutton as Reno is one of those magical pieces of theatrical alchemy where everything just aligns. Perfection. Her warmth, her familiarity with the role, her presence, her stamina, her generosity to allow her castmates to shine... The breadth of her performance was staggering and goes so far beyond what is really even required of the role. It can't be overstated just how funny she is - probably the funniest performance in a show filled with spectacular comic performances. Unlike most of her fellow comics, she also takes on a leading lady vocal performance and has to lead the ensemble in the major dance numbers too. A performance for the ages. Just... wow!

Robert Lindsay was hilarious and his chemistry with Sutton was phenomenal. I can only assume they have got on very well off stage because you can't fake chemistry like that. Samuel Edwards sang beautifully and managed to keep up with Foster. Carly Mercedes Dyer stole every scene she was in which is no mean feat in this cast. I've made an appointment to follow her career. She was sensational. I'm still howling! Felicity Kendal took a fairly small role and ran with the comedy to milk every laugh she could out of it. I love Felicity and it was so lovely to see her. Gary Wilmot put in a lovely performance too, if a little more understated than some of the crazy going on around him. Haydn Oakley also deserves a special mention. You were really rooting for poor old Evelyn throughout and Gypsy In Me was an unexpected, sidesplittingly funny highlight.

The show itself looked and sounded glorious. The set design was simple, effective and expensive looking. The detail was gorgeous. The orchestra sounded wonderful too and the sound mixing was generally excellent. You're The Top, Friendship, Anything Goes, Blow Gabriel Blow, Gypsy In Me and Buddie Beware were all show stopping excellence. The title track received a glorious standing ovation and the electricity as the first chords struck up was palpable in the room. It was a moment I will never forget. My partner and I just looked at each other, shocked, at the end of the song, amazed at what we had just witnessed. The tapping was incredible and the stamina and camaraderie displayed on that stage was a special sight to behold. Would definitely recommend seeing it up close if you're looking at repeat visits and were further back first time.

Ensemble wise, I thought Jordan Crouch, Jack Wilcox and Alexandra Wright were all worthy of special mention but the whole troupe was sensational. It wouldn't be half the show without this level of talent and commitment from the ensemble.

It feels a bit mean to single anyone out for criticism, but Nicole-Lily Baisden didn't cut the mustard in such a strong cast for me. I know it's a bit of a thankless role in such a comedic show, but her Hope had no real chemistry with Billy. Her voice, though pretty, cracked a few times and just didn't stand up to Edwards' vocals. That said, she looked beautiful and she's comparatively inexperienced, so I'm sure she will grow in the role as the run progresses.

If you're swithering over whether to see this or not, just get it booked. It's the perfect pick me up and one of those productions I'll just never forget.