Cole Porter musical, with Helen George as Tracy Lord, from its sell-out West End season on its 2026 UK and Ireland tour.
High Society opens at the Congress Theatre on Tuesday 10 November, running through to Saturday 14 November. It's Cole Porter's musical, with music and lyrics by Porter, a book by Arthur Kopit and additional lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, all based on Philip Barry's play The Philadelphia Story. The production arrives in Eastbourne direct from a sell-out West End season as part of its 2026 UK and Ireland tour, and it's billed as opening the town's autumn theatre season.
The story follows glamorous socialite Tracy Lord as the society wedding of the year descends into chaos. Old and new flames vie for her attention while a sharp-eyed tabloid reporter hunts for a scandal at a waterfront estate. It's a classic comedy of manners, and it's staged here with a full orchestra, so the score gets the room it needs. You'll hear a good chunk of Porter's songbook: 'Just One of Those Things', 'Let's Misbehave', 'I Love Paris', 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?', 'Well, Did You Evah!' and 'True Love'.
Helen George takes the lead as Tracy Lord, and she's joined by Freddie Fox, Julian Ovenden, Nigel Lindsay and Malcolm Sinclair in a 28-strong cast. Rachel Kavanaugh directs, with choreography by Anthony Van Laast. The reviews from its West End run were strong: The Times called it 'five-star pure theatrical escapism', the Daily Mail 'fizzy and sassy' and the Financial Times 'studded with diamond performances from a top-notch cast'.
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It runs from 10 to 14 November at the Congress Theatre, Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4BP.
