Taking audiences back in time with ‘Anything Goes’

By Purnima Pilapitiya

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The snappy, familiar tune of “Anything Goes” has found fame with jazz legends like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and even sneaked into action movies like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and serious dramas like “The Newsroom”. But the tune we have all at some point heard was first introduced as the title song for a musical by the same name. In 1934, American songwriter and composer created Billy Crocker, a young Wall Street broker who literally chases love across an ocean liner. Helping him on his romantic mission are a few unusual characters who add to the twists and turns of the hilarious love quadrangle.

Pic courtesy British School in Colombo

This month the British School in Colombo hopes to take audiences back in time to style of theatre and music that will take one back to a time of nostalgia, dreamy romance and lighthearted fun. For directors Shane Meiklejohn and Shamistha de Silva Dean (music) the chance to recreate a 1930’s inspired vintage musical was a challenge that they took up with a lot of enthusiasm. Their cast is not unfamiliar with the genres of music they will be tackling like swing, jazz and soul which Shamistha constantly encourages them in. For the Head of Drama; Shane, the decision to perform the timeless musical was more for the parents and grandparents in the audience but became instantly appealing to the youngsters as well. These days he’s working with the kids to bring out their 1930’s swagger and poise, their character workshops have even included props, fashion and pictures from the past to give the fresh young cast some insight into another era.

Playing the debonair Wall Street broker turned stowaway; Billy Crocker is 17 year old Gavin Karunanayake. Gavin is no stranger to theatre having performed in multiple plays both in and out of school including musical productions with the Workshop Players. When he first read the script “I thought it would be a serious play,” he admits, and was soon swept into the technical choreography and intriguing soundtrack. When we meet Billy, he is infatuated by a young, engaged debutante; Hope Harcourt who he follows as a stowaway on the SS American. The charming protagonist is also the object of affection of Reno Sweeney; his friend who decides to follow him. Despite being in a romantic entanglement, the ladies’ man can’t help but be an audience favourite and is aptly played by the equally gregarious Gavin.

Trying to wriggle out of the ‘friend zone’ with Billy is Reno Sweeney played by Aishath Esha Mohammed (15). She auditioned for the play with the title song which is incidentally sung by Reno together with the company. Reno is spunky and carries her own, although the script dates back to almost 80 years ago.

An evangelist turned nightclub singer, Billy’s old friend is secretly in love with him and follows him on his own chase of Hope. “She’s sassy and sexy” describes Esha, who admits that playing the character is both fun and a little daunting for her usually awkward self. But Reno’s sparkly personality sets her at ease and adds to the exciting “melodrama” she adds.

Playing the foil to Esha’s sparky Reno is Shania Balapatabendi who will be taking on the role of Hope Harcourt. In the midst of the loud, spunky women of the play, Hope is the musical’s ‘young lady’ and catches the eye of Billy. “She’s poised and shy,” explains Shania of the elegant young debutante who is already engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh played by Amiya Choudhury. What draws Billy and Hope together- Shania herself isn’t too sure, although it looks like a case of opposites attract. While she enjoys exploring this feminine character, like most of the others Shania admits that Moonface Martin; a second rate gangster is easily a character you can’t get enough of.

Shane Meiklejohn. Pix by Priyantha Wickramarachchi

Playing the infamous Moonface is fifteen year old Findlay Tattersall. A mobster with a heart of gold, Moonface provides most of the show’s comedic performances, which keeps him from making the ‘most wanted’ list of notorious criminals. Comedy comes easy to the bubbly young actor who played a similar character as Alfred Doolittle in last year’s school production of Pygmalion. “There’s a lot of shouting and screaming,” says Findlay who admires comedians such as Russell Howard and hopes to bring his own brand of humour to Moonface Martin’s character.

Moonface’s sidekick comes in the form of Erma. An unconventional partner for a 1930’s gangster Erma is an unconventional traffic stopping Erma who is also in love with Moonface. In addition to the obvious laughs that accompany the script the stylized dancing and rhythm of the music- “there’s always something new to experience.”

Priyanka Amalean plays Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt, Hope’s mother. Although Mrs. Harcourt is accompanying her daughter her primary concerns are “her fortune and her dog” Priyanka says.

The play as a whole is a throwback to vintage film. For the cast, learning to waltz and swing dance have been an exciting prospect as have other aspects of 1930’s America that the cast have uncovered through Porter’s iconic musical.

The British School in Colombo presents “Anything Goes” on March 22 – 24 at 7.00 pm at the British School Auditorium. Tickets priced at Rs. 2000 and 1000 and will be available at the British School in Colombo.