Anything Goes Barbican Theatre

What is Anything Goes about?

Cole Porter's Anything Goes is set aboard an ocean liner sailing from New York to London in the 1930s. Billy Crocker, a stowaway in love with heiress Hope Harcourt, enlists the help of nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and a gangster disguised as a clergyman to win Hope's heart before the ship docks. The result is a fizzy, fast-paced musical comedy with some of the greatest songs ever written for the stage: I Get a Kick Out of You, You're the Top, It's De-Lovely, and the showstopping title number.

Why see Anything Goes?

Cole Porter's melodies are perfection, and Anything Goes showcases them in a production that combines golden-age glamour with high-energy choreography. The tap-dancing finale of the title number is one of the most exhilarating sequences in musical theatre. The comedy is sharp and sophisticated, the romance is charming, and the whole production sparkles with the kind of theatrical elegance that defined the golden age of Broadway and the West End.

Practical information for visitors

Anything Goes plays periodically in the West End and on tour. Check current listings for venue and dates. The show is suitable for all ages and is a wonderful introduction to classic musical theatre. Running time is approximately two hours and thirty minutes including an interval.

Similar shows you might enjoy

For more golden-age musicals, Hello, Dolly! and Guys and Dolls deliver similar charm and showmanship. Oklahoma! is another landmark musical from the same era. For Cole Porter, look for productions of Kiss Me, Kate.