Richard Bailey

Just before Christmas we attended the Wallington Operatic and Dramatic Show in Wallington Public Hall, tonight we were at the Secombe Theatre in Sutton for their production of Anything Goes. I had not realised that so many of Cole Porter's well-known songs such as "I get a kick out of you", "You're the top" and "It's De-Lovely" came from a show. It was first produced in 1934 and a new version written for the 1987 revival.

Set in New York and aboard an ocean liner the plot is to say the least improbable. Hope Harcourt is sailing to England to be married to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Unknown to her Billy Crocker, in love with Hope, has stowed away on the liner. Add to the twists and turns of the plot a ruthless gangster Moonface Martin and his moll Erma, to say nothing of the Rev. Henry T. Dobson, and his two chinese converts Luke and John plus four angels, Purity, Chastity, Charity and Virtue and one is in for a good evening.

The singing and acting was excellent, the production was slick and exciting and the evening was obviously enjoyed by all.