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Anything Goes, Corfe Hills School, Lighthouse, Poole

I never cease to be amazed by the standard of Corfe Hills’ productions, and I can truly say that I absolutely adored this production.

The school seems to have a limitless supply of young people who act, sing and dance as if born to the stage, and this cast, led by Chris More (Billy Crocker), Jessica James (Reno Sweeney), Jessica Chambers (Hope Harcourt), Lee Raines (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh), Nathan Potter (Elisha Whitney), Rory Macgregor (Moonface Martin), Emily Loveridge (Erma), Teshany Perrett-Conn (Evangeline Harcourt) and Christopher Bryant (Captain), is absolutely first-rate.

So much care has plainly been taken with the libretto and vocal score, so words come over loud and clear, and although I’ve seen this show countless times, I never before realised how funny it is. There are some lovely touches too, including small tap-dancing penguins and roller-skating stewards.

Dancing is full of energy and, occasionally, agility, and the sheer enjoyment emanating from both the stage and the superb musicians in the pit is totally infectious and makes for a really happy evening.   

Director Matthew Boughton says that in the show, “…there are messages… that if you are daring enough and believe enough you can succeed against all the odds…” They’ve certainly done that.

Linda Kirkman

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