FANCY some luxury in the midst of financial gloom? Then taste the upper-crust lifestyle in the Cole Porter/Arthur Kopit musical, High Society at the Garrick.

Based on Phillip Barry’s play The Philadelphia Story, It is set in Tracy Lord’s mansion where Tracy is about to marry dull former miner, George Kittredge (David Leathlean) with a lavish do attended by 700 guests.

Nobody has considered its impact on Tracy’s ex, Dexter C Haven or Mike O’Connor, a sleezy columnist who aims to expose the lifestyle of the super-rich.

Mike becomes attracted to diamond encrusted Tracy. He, in turn, is fancied by his photographer, Liz Imbrie whilst Tracy’s Uncle Willie likes Liz.

Ali Davenport is well cast as Tracy. Her lovely voice must have influenced her selection. Your knees tremble when she and her equally vocal ex (Andrew Higson) sing True Love. But it isn’t just her voice. It’s the charismatic way she plays the self-centred ice maiden, Tracy.

Praise, too, to Barry Spencer who plays Mike, Laura Chandler’s Liz, and David Beddy as the inebriated, womanising, loveable Uncle Willy. And a special mention of young Erika Pickard who is Dinah, Tracy’s sister.

This show is as effervescent as champagne, its lavishness summed up in the song Who wants to be a Millionaire?

The costumes, the set, the music and dancing, all contribute to success.

Once again the Garrick prove they can sing as well as act.

At the Garrick Playhouse, Altrincham until Saturday, May 28th 2011 The Garrick Theatre Box Office is 0161 928 1677. Star rating: * * * * *