Freddie Fox is set to star in his first musical theatre role in a new revival of High Society at the Barbican Theatre. The production, featuring Cole Porter’s classic score, opens in May 2026 and promises a joyous take on the society wedding comedy.

Freddie Fox will play Mike Connor in the Barbican revival of High Society, marking his musical theatre debut. The show follows preparations for a society wedding that unravel as past romances and an intrusive reporter re-emerge, set to music and lyrics by Cole Porter.

The cast also includes Helen George and Felicity Kendal, with the full creative team now announced. It is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, choreographed by Anthony Van Laast, and supervised musically by Stephen Ridley, who will conduct a full orchestra.

High Society’s score features well-known Cole Porter songs such as “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”, “I Love Paris”, “Well, Did You Evah?”, “Just One of Those Things”, “Let’s Misbehave”, “You’re Sensational” and “True Love”. The musical is based on Philip Barry’s play The Philadelphia Story, with book by Arthur Kopit and additional lyrics by Susan Birkenhead.

Fox described the role as the fulfilment of a “boyhood dream”, expressing his excitement to engage with Porter’s music and the spirit of the production. The revival will run at the Barbican from 19 May until 11 July 2026.

This production joins a legacy of stage adaptations of The Philadelphia Story and celebrates the enduring appeal of Porter’s work in musical theatre. The Barbican’s full-orchestra approach signals a commitment to authentic musical experience in this revival.