Julian Ovenden, Freddie Fox, More Join High Society at London's Barbican Theatre

Rachel Kavanaugh will direct the Cole Porter musical comedy.

April 08, 2026 By Meg Masseron, Andrew Gans

Felicity Kendal, Freddie Fox, Helen George, Julian Ovenden, Carly Mercedes Dyer (Dan Kennedy)

Complete casting has been revealed for Cole Porter's High Society, which is heading to London's Barbican Theatre next month in a new production that will begin previews May 19 prior to an official opening June 3. The limited engagement, which will precede a 20-week U.K. and Ireland tour, will continue through July 11.

As previously announced, Helen George and Felicity Kendal will star as Tracey Lord and Mother Lord, respectively. They will be joined by the newly announced Freddie Fox (Slow Horses, House of the Dragon) as Mike Connor, Julian Ovenden (Downton Abbey, Bridgerton) as Dexter Haven, Carly Mercedes Dyer (Anything Goes, A Chorus Line) as Liz, Nigel Lindsay (Mobland, The Capture) as Uncle Willie, and Malcolm Sinclair (Pie in the Sky) as Seth Lord.

The ensemble will include Naomi Pacquette, David Seadon-Young, James Hume, Bethany Adamson, David Austin-Barnes, Jabari Braham, George Bray, Andrew Coshan, Jordan Crouch, Frances Dee, Aaron Elijah, Tosca Fischer, Jacob Fisher, Heather Jackson, Aoife Kenny, Nell Martin, Isabel Snaas, Thomas Inge, Robin Kent, Imogen Bailey, and Lucy Rice.

Rachel Kavanaugh (Shadowlands at the Aldwych Theatre) will direct the revival with choreography by Anthony Van Laast (Mamma Mia!; Kiss Me, Kate) and musical supervision by Stephen Ridley (The King and I, Anything Goes).

The upcoming production will also have set design by Tom Rogers, sound design by Adam Fisher, lighting design by Howard Hudson, costume design by Jon Morrell, and wigs design by Helen Keene.

Based on the Philip Barry play The Philadelphia Story, High Society has music and lyrics by Porter, additional lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, and a book by Arthur Kopit. Songs include "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," "I Love Paris," "Well Did You Evah?," "Just One of Those Things," "Let’s Misbehave," "You’re Sensational," and "True Love." A 28-member cast will be part of the musical, which follows the society wedding of the year descending into chaos, with old flames and new vying for attention as a tabloid reporter hunts for scandal.

High Society played 27 previews and 144 regular performances at the St. James Theatre, officially opening April 27, 1998. Directed by Christopher Renshaw, the cast included Melissa Errico, Randy Graff, Anna Kendrick, Stephen Bogardus, and more.

Producer Howard Panter said in a statement: “Following the tremendous success of our summer seasons at the Barbican over recent years, including Anything Goes; Kiss Me, Kate; Fiddler on the Roof; and Good Night, Oscar, we are delighted to be returning once again to showcase Cole Porter’s sophisticated classic High Society for a limited season. It has everything one could wish for in a Golden Age Musical—glamour, mistaken identity, romance, glorious music, and sheer irresistible fun. With the wonderful Helen George leading our exceptional company, High Society promises to be the perfect summer celebration for London audiences.”

Panter for Trafalgar Theatre Productions and Brian and Dayna Lee in association with the Barbican are producing.

Visit HighSocietyMusical.com.