High Society

Press Release 20 November 2014

The Old Vic presents High Society

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter Book by Arthur Kopit Additional Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead Based on The Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry Also based on the Turner Entertainment Co. motion picture High Society

Directed by Maria Friedman

Previews from 30 April 2015 Press night 14 May 2015

Cole Porter’s classic feel-good musical, High Society comes to The Old Vic in a glittering new production staged in the round.

Directed by multi-award-winning director and musical star Maria Friedman (director of Merrily We Roll Along, Olivier Award winner for Best Musical Revival, Critics’ Circle and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical). High Society is based on The Philadelphia Story and the 1956 MGM film musical starring Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra.

Long Island socialite Tracy Lord is planning her lavish summer wedding when her ex- husband appears to try and win her back. His unwelcome arrival threatens to disrupt proceedings. When tabloid reporter Mike Connor arrives to cover the nuptials, he too takes a shine to the bride-to-be. But which of these three suitors will she choose?

The final production of The Old Vic’s season in the round, this ambitious project is once more made possible by the generous support of CQS. The season of productions is supported for the fourth consecutive year by Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Maria Friedman, Director, said "To stage High Society in the round at The Old Vic is a hugely exciting project providing the perfect immersive environment for a sparkling musical celebration of wedding day shenanigans. I am really looking forward to transporting audiences into the glamorous heart of this world and hope they enjoy the party!”

Maria Friedman made her directorial debut with Merrily We Roll Along at the Menier Chocolate Factory which then transferred to the Harold Pinter Theatre. The show won two Olivier Awards including Best Musical Revival, Critics Circle and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical as well as being nominated for a further five Olivier Awards including Best Director. Merrily We Roll Along received more five-star reviews than any West End show in history.

Friedman’s extensive performing credits include Maria Friedman: Re-arranged, which transferred from the Menier Chocolate Factory to Trafalgar Studios (Olivier Award nomination for Best Entertainment); Fosca in Sondheim’s Passion (Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical); Mother in Ragtime (Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical); Maria Friedman, by Special Arrangement which transferred from the Donmar Warehouse to the Whitehall Theatre (Olivier Award for Best Entertainment); Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre (Olivier Award nomination); Sunday in the Park with George (Olivier Award nomination for Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical) and Lady in the Dark (Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical) both at the National Theatre; West End and Broadway productions of The Woman in White (Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical/Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut).

More recently Maria has been seen performing her new show Back to Before which is to transfer to New York in 2015. She is also currently appearing as Elaine Peacock in the BBC1 continuing drama EastEnders.

Director Maria Friedman Musical Director Theo Jamieson Sound Designer Simon Baker Casting Director Maggie Lunn

Original Broadway Production Produced by: Lauren Mitchell and Robert Gailus, Hal Luftig and Richard Samson Dodger Endemol Theatricals in association with Bill Haber Originally produced by American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco, CA. Carey Perloff, Artistic Director, Heather Kitchen, Managing Director

Press Contacts

BOX OFFICE INFORMATION

Box Office 0844 871 7628 | oldvictheatre.com The Old Vic, The Cut, London SE1 8NB

HIGH SOCIETY Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter Book by Arthur Kopit Additional Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead Based on The Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry Also based on the Turner Entertainment Co. motion picture High Society

Thu 30 April – Sat 22 August 2015

Previews: 30 April – 13 May Press Performance: 14 May, 7pm Mon-Sat 7.30pm; Wed 2:30pm (from 20 May); Sat 2:30pm (from 9 May)

TICKETS: £60 (Mon to Thu) /£65 (Fri and Sat), £50 (Mon to Thu) /£55 (Fri and Sat), £30, £21, £16

£10 off top two price bands in previews (Old Vic Friends £12.50 off)

For information regarding Premium Seats please call the box office.

Concessions for High Society

PwC tickets for Under 25s: 100 £12 tickets for all performances. Bookable in advance but tickets must be collected in person from the Box Office with proof of age.

Senior Citizens: Best available seats for £30 for all matinee performances only.

Groups 10+: £10 off top 3 prices for Mon–Wed eves & Wed matinees.

School Groups 10+: £12 for Mon–Wed eves & Wed matinees.

Disabled Patrons: Top 3 prices reduced to £21 for all performances.

All concessions are limited and subject to availability. All 2014/15 ticket prices (apart from the PwC tickets for Under 25s, community & schools tickets) include a £1 restoration levy.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Bank of America Merrill Lynch Corporate Responsibility Developing solutions for social and economic challenges is at the core of Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s responsibility platform. In more than 90 countries around the world, we partner with employees, clients and stakeholders to help make financial lives better. The firm focuses on responsible business practices, environmental sustainability, advancing opportunity in local communities through education and employability programmes and investing in global leadership development. We realise the power of our people and value our differences, recognising that our diversity makes us a stronger firm and allows us to better service our stakeholders. By harnessing our intellectual resources, sharing knowledge and connecting capital with need, we are providing opportunities that effect positive change. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/about and follow us on Twitter @BofAML. www.bankofamerica.com

Rena DeSisto, Global Arts and Culture, and international Corporate Social Responsibility executive, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, said: "The Old Vic delights in so many ways – from their wonderful stage performances through to education programmes with local schools. In today’s climate, there’s a lot at stake if institutions like The Old Vic do not receive the funding they need for connecting communities, so we are pleased to support their incredible work for a fourth consecutive year.”

About CQS CQS is once again delighted to be supporting The Old Vic. CQS is a global multi strategy asset management firm providing investment solutions for institutional investors. Our track record is underpinned by fundamental research and quantitative analysis, with robust institutional operational and risk management platforms. We are a founding member of the HFSB and regulated by the FCA in the UK, the SFC in Hong Kong, ASIC in Australia and registered with the SEC in the US. www.cqs.ch

CQS said: “We are very pleased to be supporting these superb and innovative productions."

About PwC PwC firms help organisations and individuals create the value they’re looking for. We’re a network of firms in 157 countries with more than 195,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax and advisory services. Find out more and tell us what matters to you by visiting us at www.pwc.com.

PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.

Ian Powell, Chairman and Senior Partner, PwC, said: "Doing the right thing is important to PwC's strategy and we are delighted to be working with The Old Vic. Together, we make sure that the PwC Under 25s Club continues to make theatre accessible to young people to inspire a new audience."

The Old Vic Season Sponsor

Partnering The Old Vic

The Old Vic gratefully acknowledges an award of £5 million in 2012 from the Catalyst Arts Endowment Fund, conditional on our raising £15 million match funding by 2015.