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Cole Porter’s glittering musical High Society is set to return to London in 2026 with a major new revival at the Barbican Theatre.

High Society will open at the Barbican Theatre from 19 May, playing a strictly limited 8 week season until 11 July 2026.

The show will then tour the UK, including High Wycombe, Cardiff, Southend, Belfast, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Norwich, Salford, Bromley, Dublin, Canterbury, Nottingham, Eastbourne, and Dartford. See all tour dates, below.

The production marks the first large-scale staging of High Society in London for over a decade.

The show will star TV favourite Helen George (Call the Midwife, The King and I, Strictly Come Dancing) as Tracy Lord, made famous in the 1956 movie by Grace Kelly.

Helen George will be joined by stage and screen star Felicity Kendal (Indian Ink, Noises Off, The Good Life) as Tracy’s mother, Mother Lord.

Further casting is to be announced.

Felicity Kendal returns to the Barbican having performed in Kathleen Marshall’s production of Anything Goes in 2021. She is currently starring in a revival of the late Tom Stoppard’s acclaimed drama Indian Ink at Hampstead Theatre in London.

High Society will be directed by Rachel Kavanaugh (Clueless The Musical) and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast (Mamma Mia!).

Based on The Philadelphia Story and the much-loved MGM movie starring Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra, High Society remains one of Porter’s most enduringly popular works. With music and lyrics by Cole Porter, a book by Arthur Kopit, and additional lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, the musical adapts Philip Barry’s classic comedy of manners into a sophisticated and effervescent stage hit.

Featuring a sensational Cole Porter score packed with classics – including “True Love,” “You’re Sensational,” “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” and “Well, Did You Evah!” – High Society follows spirited Long Island socialite Tracy Lord, whose perfectly planned wedding is thrown into chaos by the arrival of her charismatic ex-husband and a determined tabloid reporter. As romantic complications multiply and champagne flows, Tracy must confront questions of love, loyalty and who truly deserves her heart.

The last major London revival took place at The Old Vic in 2015, directed by Maria Friedman (Merrily We Roll Along) and starring Kate Fleetwood and Jamie Parker, who are both now starring in Into the Woods at the Bridge Theatre.

The show was last in the West End in 2005, playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London starring Jerry Hall, Graham Bickley, Katherine Kingsley, Paul Robinson and Ria Jones.

Tickets to High Society

High Society is playing at the Barbican Theatre in London from 19 May to 11 July 2026.

Tickets now on sale

More about tickets to High Society at the Barbican Theatre in London

What They Said

Helen George said in a statement: “I am delighted to be returning to the stage in Cole Porter’s musical comedy masterpiece High Society to play Tracy Samantha Lord in a brand-new production directed by Rachel Kavanaugh next year. Theatre is my first love and I adored playing the iconic role of Anna in The King and I, so I jumped at the chance to flex my musical comedy chops and play Tracy. Cole Porter’s musicals are packed with his signature wit, glamour and unforgettable tunes and High Society is no exception. I am also thrilled it will be launching at the Barbican before embarking on a major UK tour. I can’t wait for audiences to enjoy a sparkling evening of comedy, romance, and sheer musical joy.”

Felicity Kendal said: “I am delighted to be returning to the Barbican in High Society, another Cole Porter musical comedy masterpiece. I so enjoyed my time at the Barbican in Anything Goes, I couldn’t think of a more perfect summer treat and leapt at the chance to join this brand-new production directed by Rachel Kavanaugh and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast next summer. There is nothing quite like the thrill of a live audience experiencing a great show together and nobody does musical comedy like the genius that is Cole Porter. I cannot wait to get started and I know that audiences are in for the perfect musical summer treat next year.”

Producer Sir Howard Panter added: “Following the tremendous success of our summer seasons at the Barbican over recent years, including Anything Goes, Kiss Me, Kate, Fiddler on the Roof and Good Night, Oscar we are delighted to be returning once again to showcase Cole Porter’s sophisticated classic High Society for a limited season. It has everything one could wish for in a Golden Age Musical – glamour, mistaken identity, romance, glorious music, and sheer irresistible fun. With the wonderful Helen George leading our exceptional company, High Society promises to be the perfect summer celebration for London audiences.”

High Society – London & Tour Dates 2026

19 May – 11 July 2026
London / Barbican Centre

14 – 18 July 2026
High Wycombe / Swan Theatre

21 – 25 July 2026
Cardiff / New Theatre

28 July – 1 August 2026
Southend / Cliffs Pavilion

11 – 15 August 2026
Belfast / Grand Opera House

18 – 22 August 2026
Birmingham / Alexandra Theatre

25 – 29 August 2026
Leeds / Grand Theatre

1 – 5 September 2026
Glasgow / King’s Theatre

8 – 12 September 2026
Edinburgh / Playhouse Theatre

15 – 19 September 2026
Norwich / Theatre Royal

22 September – 3 October 2026
Salford / Lowry

6 – 10 October 2026
Bromley / Churchill Theatre

20 – 24 October 2026
Dublin / Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

27 – 31 October 2026
Canterbury / Marlowe Theatre

3 – 7 November 2026
Nottingham / Theatre Royal

10 – 14 November 2026
Eastbourne / Congress Theatre

17 – 21 November 2026
Dartford / Orchard Theatre

High Society
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High Society
Main photo: High Society - Helen George (Photo Hugo Glendinning) & Felicity Kendal (Photo Karan Kapoor)

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