High Society's links to the Scottish town of Ardrossan

Cole Porter's High Society links to Scotland

Cole Porter's musical masterpiece High Society is a beloved 1956 film starring Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Grace Kelly - in her final role before she became Princess Grace of Monaco. A new stage musical production of High Society will arrive in Scotland this autumn, with dates at both the King's Theatre in Glasgow and the Edinburgh Playhouse in September.

But did you know that the show's central character, Tracy Lord - played in the new musical by Call The Midwife's Helen George - is based on a real-life socialite whose family have their roots right here in Ayrshire, Scotland?

Tracy Lord is inspired by socialite Helen Hope Montgomery Scott

Tracy Lord is based on a real Gilded Age socialite - Helen Hope Montgomery (or 'Hope Scott' after marriage), who was referred to by Vanity Fair as "the unofficial queen of Philadelphia's WASP oligarchy".

Her Scottish aristocratic family emigrated from Ardrossan in Ayrshire and settled in America's New England. There they set up a sprawling estate and named it Ardrossan Mansion, named for their Scottish roots.

Recalling life at Ardrossan in the 1920s, Tracy told The Philadelphia Inquirer:

"Everybody had so much more money (then) - there were so few taxes you see... People gave grand dinner parties and dances; women wore wonderful dresses, and men came in fine evening clothes. Usually there would be two orchestras... and we ate divine food like terrapin and champagne, oh, but we had fun!"

Her social world and story served as the influence for The Philadelphia Story, which Phillip Barry wrote with Katharine Hepburn in mind for the starring role, having shared a keenly similar upbringing to Helen. The play was reimagined for film as High Society, scored by Cole Porter and starring Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra.

Both Cole Porter and Katharine Hepburn are known to have visited Ardrossan Mansion.

Now, a new musical production of High Society brings the original story back to its roots here in Scotland this September.

• See High Society in Glasgow at The King's Theatre from 1 - 5 September

  
  

• And at Edinburgh Playhouse from 8 - 12 September

  
  

• Tickets are available to buy here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/high-society/

• MORE: Read my review of High Society the musical from Glasgow's King's Theatre here

  
  

• MORE: You can find more information about the history of the house Ardrossan Mansion and the family here: Ardrossan Mansion - American Aristocracy