live High Society Theatre Royal, Plymouth

High Society is a stage version of the 1956 film, which, in turn, was a musical version of Philip Barry's stage play The Philadelphia Story, also made into a film in 1940. The stage play was thought of as urbane and sophisticated, and it is a sad fact that nothing dates quicker than the urbane and sophisticated.

High Society uses the formula of old-style musical comedy, with romantic leads, a perky juvenile, predatory mothers and comical old buffers marinated in champagne. The show rests on the songs of Cole Porter, which occur every two minutes, and considering the inevitability of the plot, the audience seem glad of the interruptions.

Tony Tripp's revolving wedding cake set is the scene for a society wedding, complete with a six-piece band who have conveniently strayed from a nearby jazz festival. If you ignore the story of new love rejected for old love rekindled and just enjoy the parade of Cole Porter numbers, High Society is a good night out. Some of the lesser-known songs come off best. Jenny Logan scores a hit with the middle-aged wives' lament, Nobody's Chasing Me, and the tango I Irritate You comes as a welcome surprise amongst so much familiar material. Incidentally, the song Delovely is meant to be a coy invitation, and not a full-throated bash.

Overall, High Society has the feel of a manuscript found in an attic and dusted off for a lark. The singing style, soft-shoe dancing and champagne drinking suggest an anniversary of a celebration of years ago; a folk custom of the smart set.

Tracy Childs and Michael Howe play the mixed-up couple and there is good work from Kerris Peeling as the squeaky child and some hefty back-up from the band.

n 'High Society' continues its national tour at the Anvil Theatre, Basingstoke, on Mon (01256 844244), then Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness, Belfast, Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol and Leeds

ALLEN SADDLER