Anything Goes - 3rd - 7th August 2026, Minack Theatre, Cornwall
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Original Book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton
and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse
New Book by Timothy Crouse & John Weidman
‘Anything Goes’ is a mood lifting musical comedy set aboard the busy ocean liner S. S. American, where nightclub singer Reno Sweeney is enroute from New York to England. Her pal Billy Crocker has stowed away to be near his love, Hope Harcourt, but the problem is Hope is engaged to the wealthy Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, and her mother Evangeline is relying on this marriage to retain their social standing. Joining the love triangle on board is Public Enemy #13, Moonface Martin and his sidekick-in-crime Erma. With the help of some elaborate disguises, dancing and good old-fashioned blackmail, Reno and Moonface join forces to help Billy in his quest to win Hope’s heart. On the journey we meet some remarkably talented sailors, some Angels, a couple of cheeky tricksters, and as many high-spirited passengers as the ship can carry.
The fabulous Cole Porter score includes showstoppers such as You’re The Top, I Get A Kick Out Of You, It’s De-Lovely, Friendship, All Through The Night, Blow, Gabriel, Blow and of course, Anything Goes.
All enquires please email anythinggoes@brostc.org
Act One
Overture – Orchestra
“I Get a Kick Out of You” – Reno Sweeney
“There’s No Cure Like Travel” – Sailors and others
“Bon Voyage” – Full Company
“You’re the Top” – Reno and Billy Crocker
“Easy to Love” – Billy
“I Want to Row on the Crew”– Elisha Whitney
“There’ll Always Be a Lady Fair” Sailors
“Friendship” – Reno and Moonface Martin
“It’s De-Lovely” – Billy and Hope Harcourt
“Anything Goes” – Reno and Full Company
Act Two
Entr’acte – Orchestra
“Public Enemy Number One” – FULL Company (not Reno and Angels)
“Blow, Gabriel, Blow” – Reno, Angels and Company
“Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye” – Hope
“Be Like the Bluebird” – Moonface
“All Through the Night” – Billy, Hope, Sailors
“The Gypsy in Me” – Lord Evelyn Oakleigh
“Buddie, Beware” – Erma and Crew
Finale: “I Get a Kick Out of You” / “Anything Goes” (reprises) – Company
cast
Reno Sweeney – Rachel Williams
Moonface Martin – Paul Madeley
Evangaline Harcourt – Clair Jardella
Elisha J Whitney – Chris Warden
Billy Crocker – Griffin Godsick
Hope Harcourt – Ellie McWilliam
Erma Latour – Aggie Holland
Lord Evelyn Oakleigh – Nick Moorhead
Ship’s Captain – Stephen Beeny
Ship’s Purser – Mathew Madeley
Angels – Rebecca Nardin, Lucy Hennessey, Jess Brown, Michelle Spencer
Dippy – Ian Nethersell
Spit – Wilson Conley
Henry T Dobson – TBC
Ensemble – Lizzie Brignall, Chris Bryan, Cath Bryant, Ciara Costello, Charlotte Early, Connor Harper, Sonia Huntley-Robertson
Rozanna Ip, Louse Ellard-Turnbull, Jasmine Lord-D’Souza, Kerry Magee, Juliet Manners, Gemma Melhuish, Chris Nash, Georgina Nash, Emma Playle, Tracy Sorgiovanni, Helen Shore, Becky Tarry, Callum Taylor, Louise Vinter, Tash Wills
Introducing the production team...
DEB MCDOWELL
(director)
Originally from the Isle of Man, I grew up in a family of performers, but also spent many happy hours watching how lead creatives made farces, serious drama, and musicals work for audiences.
I joined BROS TC in 1995 and made my first trip to the phenomenal Minack Theatre the following year. I have returned many times as a performer with my BROS family, (sometimes also my actual family) over the subsequent decades. It was an absolute life highlight in 2023, when BROS TC gave me the opportunity to direct Kipps – The New Half a Sixpence Musical – in this special place.
Although still performing, my passion is directing; working with the talented creative performers of BROS TC to bring shows to life on stage
In addition to Kipps at Minack, BROS shows I have directed include I love You You’re Perfect Now Change, Into the Woods, City of Angels and The Producers Hampton Hill Theatre, and in 2018 High Society for BROS TC at Richmond Theatre.
I am so excited to be working again with long time creative partner, the phenomenal Jen Moorhead, and am looking forward to collaborating with Martin Wilcox as MD, having as a performer thoroughly enjoyed his musical leadership many times.
Welcome also to Lauren Nardin, our phenomenal Production Manager, who shares my enthusiasm and passion for Musical Theatre and the people who make it.
As for my love for ‘Anything Goes’ as a show, well, those Cole Porter classics come thick and fast, and the combination of big company numbers, classic comedic interplay and romance just hit the sweet spot. It’s such a happy mood raiser of a show, something I think we probably all need right now.
MARTIN WILCOX
(musical director)
I’m delighted to be waving the baton for Anything Goes and for another opportunity to work at the fabulous ‘theatre under the stars’. Putting on a show at Minack is, as many of you know, a tremendous privilege and brings with it a host of challenges unique to the venue. Over the last 21 years I’ve learnt a lot from BROS-Minack experts, developed a number of valued friendships with Cornish ‘legends’ and picked up a few tricks and tips myself.
Anything Goes will be my thirteenth production on the cliffs of Porthcurno – eight of which have been with BROS – and my eighth production as MD/Conductor (six with BROS).
I’m excited to be working with Debbie and Jen for the first time on the production team – in my previous ten shows as a BROS MD I’ve worked with seven different Directors and six different Choreographers – however I have had the fun of being one of their cast in several productions. And I’m excited to be working with the fabulous talent at BROS once again on our summer road-trip for 2026
I can’t wait to get into this Cole Porter classic, have fun with the harmonies, enjoy the tunes and get to work with my Cornish muso friends next summer 😊
JEN MOORHEAD
(choreographer)
I am really looking forward to taking the fabulous Anything Goes to the Minack Theatre next summer!
I have fantastic memories of both performing and choreographing at the Minack, one particular highlight being performing as a rather pregnant nun in our 2019 production of Sister Act. (A very generous nun’s habit worked wonders!)
The Minack offers some unique challenges and opportunities for dance and movement and is a wonderful place to perform, each show different due to the weather and the visiting sea life!
Anything Goes isn’t an overly ‘dancey’ show, unlike our 2023 production of Kipps, but we do have a couple of superb numbers plus the added challenge of tap dancing, for which we are cultivating a plan. Come along to the launch to hear more.
Ultimately, choreographing for the Minack requires a more creative approach to ensure the dances are interesting to watch and perform and catch the eye of all the various reaches of the audience. I can’t wait to get started!