Full Steam Ahead: ‘Anything Goes’ Returns to Perth College After 25 Years

Aboard the grand S.S. American, where mistaken identities, high-seas hijinks, and show-stopping tap numbers collide, the world of Anything Goes is joyous chaos and effervescent charm. For Perth College, this voyage is not merely a theatrical revival—it’s a homecoming.

For the first time in School history, a musical is returning to the Judith Cottier Theatre stage. The 2025 Senior School Musical will see Anything Goes set sail, 25 years after its first voyage under the direction of the late Anne Hairsine—a name woven deeply into the fabric of Perth College’s artistic legacy. This time, directed by Tyler Jones, the production will showcase the school’s present-day theatrical talent and pay tribute to the rich history and creative spirit which is a vital part of the Perth College community.

A tribute to the legendary Anne Hairsine who was, by all accounts, a force of nature. Anne was a PC Old Girl (1956 Leaver) and she returned to her alma mater as a Drama teacher, leaving an indelible mark on generations of students over two decades. She was a director, a mentor, a storyteller, and a champion of young voices finding their place on stage. Her productions were more than performances; they were experiences, designed to stretch the boundaries of imagination and create lifelong memories for cast and crew alike.

When the school staged Anything Goes in 2000, it was under Anne’s steady hand that the students brought the classic Cole Porter musical to life. Now, a quarter of a century later, her spirit lingers in the wings, in the laughter and camaraderie of rehearsals, in the infectious energy of the opening number. Reviving Anything Goes in 2025 is tipping the sailor’s hat to the woman who gave so much to Perth College’s performing arts.

What is it about Anything Goes that makes it the perfect choice for revisiting? Perhaps it’s the timelessness of its comedy—the mistaken identities, the whirlwind romance, the tap-dancing sailors that never fail to delight. Perhaps it’s Cole Porter’s irresistible score, packed with numbers like “You’re the Top,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” and the rousing title song, guaranteed to send audiences out into the night humming. Maybe it’s the show’s heart: a story of misfits and dreamers, of people willing to risk everything for love, adventure, or simply a good laugh.

For Perth College, it’s also about continuity. Honouring the past while embracing the future. Just as Anne’s productions once connected students to something bigger than themselves, this 2025 staging of Anything Goes is a reminder that traditions evolve, but their essence remains.

Under the direction of Tyler Jones, the new production promises to be a dazzling spectacle, featuring the boundless energy and talent of Perth College’s Senior School students. The Judith Cottier Theatre will once again transform into a luxury ocean liner, setting sail for an evening of romance, comedy, and pure Broadway magic.

For those who were part of the 2000 production—whether as performers, crew members, or even enthusiastic audience members—this revival is a chance to walk down memory lane. For former students who knew and loved Anne Hairsine, it is a tribute to her unwavering passion for theatre and the arts. And for today’s students, it is an opportunity to add their own voices to a legacy that spans decades.

So, to the Perth College community: dust off your sailor caps, warm up those jazz hands, and get ready to climb aboard! The S.S. American is about to set sail once more, and as Anne Hairsine might remind us, with the right mix of dedication, heart, and a little bit of theatrical mischief—anything goes!

Anything Goes will be held in the Judith Cottier Theatre 19 – 22 March 2025, and tickets can be purchased via Humanitix.