As an NSTA representative, I had the terrific pleasure of visiting Kent College on the evening of Friday 10th October 2025 to watch a fine production of Cole Porter’s Anything Goes in the lovely Great Hall theatre. Featuring a cast of 46 skill performers onstage and a dozen very talented musicians in the pit, this was an excellent choice of stage musical that was well executed, offered plenty of rewarding opportunities, and delivered an entertaining, uplifting experience for all involved.
Anything Goes is a wonderful celebration of wit and music, brought to life by theatrical and literary greats such as Vinton Freedley, Ethel Merman, P.G. Wodehouse, and, of course, the inimitable Cole Porter. The story follows nightclub singer Reno Sweeney as she performs aboard an ocean liner, where love-struck Billy Crocker teams up with gangster Moonface Martin in a bid to stop the woman he loves from marrying another man.
The show features marvellous songs such as “I Get a Kick Out of You”, “Friendship”, and the iconic title number, “Anything Goes”. Music this fabulous requires first-class musicianship, and Kent College unquestionably delivered. Both instrumentals and vocals were very secure indeed in the hands of Director of Music, Mr Ross. The instrumental excellence of his pit (packed with talented student musicians) was matched by high quality vocals onstage.
Onstage, this show requires three accomplished actors to lead the way, and Kent College was able to provide three tremendous central performances which made this a wonderful evening of entertainment. Electra sparkled as singer Reno Sweeney, matching stunning vocals to her smooth acting performance to give the show a rock-solid centre. Boy, can she sing. We were treated to wonderful renditions of “I Get A Kick Out Of You” and “Blow Gabriel Blow”, as well as a sharp characterisation of a singer outwardly confident but inwardly looking for love.
Cameron was in fine form and oozed charm as the young romantic Billy Crocker. He brought an immediate likability to the role and this critically helped build audience support for his character. His moments in disguise were cleverly played and his ‘old lady in a chair’ routine hilarious. However Cameron was at his most confident and impressive whenever he burst into songs like “Easy to Love”. Boy, can he sing too. The two came together to sing “You’re the Top”, and this performance was perhaps the musical highlight of the whole show – chirpy, cheerful, and enchantingly well sung.
Excellent as these two were, the growling, scowling Harry was not to be outshone as Moonface Martin. Harry was more deadpan than Leslie Nielsen, giving us the most scurrilous of gravelly gangsters dressed up in a vicar’s collar, and his comic timing was just as good as anything in Airplane! or Police Squad. His perfect delivery of the line “there’s something strange about this” became a hilariously predictable catchphrase each time something went wrong. Musically, he put together a tremendous version of “Friendship” with Electra, while his “Be Like the Bluebird” was an absolute riot – flapping wings included. This was a seriously stellar performance.
The supporting cast backed up these three leads magnificently. Emily (Erma Latour) was a constant burst of energy and comic flair, lighting up every scene she entered with her playful charm and infectious enthusiasm, with a fantastic performance of “Buddie Beware”. Poppy (Hope Harcourt) shared a beautiful singing voice in some lovely songs and captured the gentle elegance of Billy Crocker’s love interest perfectly, while Rufus (Evelyn Oakleigh) delivered a peerless performance as the most English of aristocrats. His rendition of “The Gypsy in Me” caused explosive laughter in many members of the audience and was delivered with real panache. Matthew captured the brash confidence of boss Elisha Whitney perfectly and with great swagger, while Liv (Evangeline) brought on elegance and style. There were some lovely teams created, such as Thomas and William (Captain/Pursar) and the Sailor Quartet, with both groups bursting most tunefully into song when the moment came. The quality of Thomas’s voice was particularly impressive and William performed with gusto throughout.
The wider company worked hard – and very effectively – to create a busy ship’s atmosphere, singing, dancing, and popping up as needed. It was a tremendous team effort, for which every member of the cast should be applauded. Technical support for the production maintained the high quality, with a carefully designed lighting plot, a clever set that swiftly created the world of the ship, and costumes that captured the era effectively.
The fabulous Ms Christian has done it again! Another first-class musical, put together tightly and intelligently, well choreographed by Silas Stubbs and slickly stage-managed by Max Wright. The Christian–Ross axis is quite some production team; it is incredible to learn that their musical production is rehearsed and performed in just five weeks. In the case of Kent College, not just Anything Goes, but Everything goes — and it goes very well indeed. You’re the Top!
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