Marilyn Cutts Replaces Carolyn Pickles in HIGH SOCIETY at Birmingham Hippodrome, May 14-18

From the producers of the recently nominated tour of The King and I (UK Theatre Awards 2012) comes a dazzling new production of Cole Porter's timeless classic, High Society. This brand new theatre production will tour the UK in 2013 opening at Venue Cymru in Llandudno in January before arriving at Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 14 - Saturday 18 May 2013.

Founder Fascinating Aida member Marilyn Cutts will play the role of Margaret Lord in the forthcoming tour of Cole Porter's High Society, replacing Carolyn Pickles who has had to withdraw for personal reasons. With an extensive theatre, musical and opera career, Marilyn performed with the immensely popular musical-cabaret trio Fascinating Aida from its earliest years and brings much experience to the role in this dazzling new production.

The production stars Michael Praed as Dexter Haven and the cast also includes Sophie Bould as Tracy Lord, Daniel Boys as Mike Connor, Keiron Crook as George Kittredge, Teddy Kempner as Uncle Willie, Katie Lee as Dinah Lord, Craig Pinder as Seth Lord and Alex Young as Liz Imbrie.

Wealthy socialite Tracy Lord is in the midst of planning a lavish summer wedding when her ex-husband Dexter Haven turns up to disrupt the proceedings in an attempt to win her back. A further twist arrives in the form of the charming reporter Mike Connor who falls instantly for Tracy, and she for him. As the day of the wedding draws closer, the audience is left guessing which groom the bride will choose.

The director is Anna Linstrum, set and costume designer is Francis O' Connor, lighting designer is Chris Davey, sound designer is Ben Harrison and musical director is Michael Haslam. Choreography is by Andrew Wright.

Adapted from the hit 1956 film, High Society fizzes with a host of beautiful Cole Porter ballads including 'True Love', 'You're Sensational' and the unforgettable 'Did You Evah!'. The original film starred Bing Crosby (Dexter Haven), Frank Sinatra (Mike Connor) and Grace Kelly (Tracy Lord), her last film role before she became Princess Grace of Monaco.

The tour is produced by Music & Lyrics, a consortium of the UK's largest independent No. 1 presenting venues that has been formed to stimulate and create new musical theatre productions. They won The Renee Stepham Award for Best Presentation of Touring Theatre for their inaugural production of The King and I (UK Theatre Awards 2012). Their next project will be a brand new production of Fiddler on the Roof, directed by Craig Revel Horwood with musical direction by Sarah Travis. A nationwide tour of the UK and Ireland launches in September 2013.

High Society is based on the play The Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry and also based on the Turner Entertainment Co. motion picture High Society. The original Broadway production was produced by Lauren Mitchell and Robert Gailus Luftig and Richard Samson, Dodger Endemol Theatricals in association with Bill Haber. It was originally produced by American Consevatory Theater, San Francisco CA; Carey Perloff, Artistic Director and Heather Kitchen, Managing Director.

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