High Society revival planned for 2026 with London run and tour announced

Emmie Newitt 5 December, 2025, 10:01

The musical, which features music and lyrics by Cole Porter and a book by Arthur Kopit, will head to London in a lavish and much-anticipated new production by the same producers behind the smash hit sold-out musical sensations Anything Goes, Fiddler on the Roof and Kiss Me, Kate.

high society barbican theatre High Society artwork.

High Society will star BBC's Call the Midwife star Helen George (The King and I) as Tracy Lord, alongside the stage and screen star Felicity Kendal (who is currently starring in Indian Ink at Hampstead Theatre), and will play Mother Lord.

Further casting is to be announced.

The romantic comedy musical is based on the 1939 stage comedy The Philadelphia Story and the subsequent iconic musical film adaptation that starred Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and Frank Sinatra. High Society made its Broadway debut in 1998 before a London premiere at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in 2003 and a West End transfer at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2005. The last London revival took place in 2015 at The Old Vic, which was directed by Maria Friedman.

High Society will run for a limited 8-week season in London before touring the UK. The production will head to places such as Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Dartford.

High Society is centered around a Long Island pretentious socialite called Tracy Lord, whose plans for her lavish wedding to an executive are thrown into chaos when her ex-husband and a tabloid reporter arrive unexpectedly. The show features a gorgeous score, including "You're Sensational" and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?".

This new production will be directed by Rachel Kavanaugh (Shadowlands, Aldwych Theatre) with choreography by Anthony Van Laast (Mamma Mia) and musical supervision by Stephen Ridley (The King and I). The musical features additional lyrics by Susan Birkenhead.

High Society will play at the Barbican Theatre from 19 May - 11 July 2026.