Starring in a splashy new production of Cole Porter’s classic musical High Society, Helen George is in her element. “My father was a huge jazz fan, so I grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra,” says the actress. “This is the music I grew up with and sang along to.”
The production arrives in Scotland this September. Helen promises audiences “a wonderful, sophisticated escape” with a large, brassy orchestra, dazzling costumes and a 28-strong cast including Freddie Fox, Julian Ovenden and Nigel Lindsay.
Based on the 1956 film (which in turn is based on the 1939 play The Philadelphia Story), High Society centres on the wedding of Long Island socialite Tracy Lord. As old and new flames clash, a reporter hunts for tabloid-worthy scandal. “Tracy is a really interesting character,” says Helen. “She’s a divorced woman in 1951, which is rare and quite brave. She only needs a man for love, not money. It’s a bit like The White Lotus. We can’t take our eyes off the wealth and fabulousness, and underneath it all are relatable themes about love and pain amidst all the fun, fantastic songs.”
These songs run the gamut from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? to Well, Did You Evah!; Just One of Those Things to Let’s Misbehave, and the swooningly romantic True Love. The score has expanded to include classics like I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Let’s Do It and Let’s Fall in Love.
For Helen, music and mirth are a tonic for troubled times. “I come out of the theatre, listen to the news and think, ‘This is exactly the sort of show that we need right now’. Theatre really comes into its prime when the world feels uncertain, especially with a musical as lively and joyful as this one.”
Best known for playing Nurse Trixie Franklin in Call the Midwife and Anna Leonowens in The King and I, George is no stranger to period costumes. When asked if the 1950s fashions in High Society are less restrictive than those she wore as Anna in 1860s Siam, she laughs that she is “never far away from a corset. It’s a different silhouette, with that kind of Dior A-line skirt and tight-fitting top rather than hooped, heavy skirts. That refined elegance is just beautiful.”
After studying musical theatre at the Royal Academy of Music and touring as a backing singer for Elton John, she landed the role of Trixie. Fourteen years on, the character remains dear to her heart. “Call The Midwife will always be a part of me,” she says, “I’m hoping my time as Trixie hasn’t come to an end just yet.”
Returning to her musical theatre roots after her stint on Strictly Come Dancing feels like a homecoming. “It took some nerve coming back to it. I’d only really done plays over the previous 15 years.” Following in the footsteps of Grace Kelly, who played Tracy in the film, could feel daunting, but Helen prefers to focus on making the role her own. “I love that I get to play these rounded, fulfilling roles, especially in a show this gorgeous.”
Helen will bring her daughters Wren and Lark along on tour. “It’s the summer holidays! It’s good for them to understand what Mummy does at work,” beams the mother of two. A strong advocate for regional theatre, Helen adds, “Growing up in Birmingham I saw so many wonderful touring shows. That’s what inspired me.”
High Society visits Edinburgh Playhouse from 8 – 12 September after its run in Glasgow from 31 August – 5 September. See atgtickets.com/edinburgh for more information.
