A brand new production of Cole Porter's classic, award-winning musical comedy, Anything Goes, promises to transport you to the magical age of tap dancing and high society.

When Billy Crocker discovers that his heart’s desire, debutante heiress Hope Harcourt is engaged to an English aristocrat, he stows away aboard the S.S. American to win her back.

Aided by a string of eccentric passengers on board the luxurious transatlantic liner, can this web of love be untangled before they reach Southampton?

Louisa Clarence-Smith catches up with star performer Debbie Kurup, who plays nightclub owner Reno Sweeney, before the show.

Louisa Clarence-Smith: What made you want to take part in this production?

Debbie Kurup: The show is such a classic hit. You can't go wrong with the music. Cole Porter is a genius. The original book was written by PG Woodhouse and he's quite an iconic writer. When I first picked up the script the comedy just flew off the page. I thought whoever plays this is going to have a whale of a time and it was a nice contrast to playing a bodyguard who gets murdered which was my last theatre role.

LCS: You play nightclub singer Reno Sweeney. How have you put your own twist on the role?

DK: The character is larger than life. There's a tendency for it to become quite caricatureish and I didn't want it to become that. I love the fact that the character is a singer-turned-evangelist but I wanted her to be open, warm and encouraging of her audience to speak up and nourish their souls. I hope the audience finds it quite funny and comes on the journey with me.

LCS: How do you get into character?

DK: It's all in the preparation. Doing research is key and I have listened to a lot of EPs of all the classics going back to the 1930's.

LCS: Your performance has been described as "the heart, soul and lungs" of the production. How do you stay healthy to keep your voice in such good order?

DK: I drink a lot of water. I'm always hydrating whenever I can. I also get as much sleep as I can. I have fun but at the same time I'm sensible.

LCS: The show is a love story between stowaway Billy Crocker and débutante heiress Hope Harcourt.

Why do you think people are so attracted to class and the lives of the aristocracy?

DK: From a very basic point of view it's food for our imaginations to go back to that time when everything was grand and opulent. I have the most amazing costumes and to look back to the 1930's you can see women being women and looking so elegant. But now we are so busy, we don't have time.

Anything Goes; New Wimbledon Theatre, 93 the Broadway, Wimbledon; Jan 29 to Feb 7; 7.30pm, 2.30pm mats; £15.90 to £45.90; atgtickets.com.