Kiss Me Kate

Though this revised version of a show of a play within a show may have differences from my memory of it, the cast took it all head on and delivered a wonderful night's entertainment. The story line of a theatre putting on The Taming of the Shrew shows the tensions between producer and leading lady,  the complications of a indebted gambling actor and the comedy of the heavies as they come to reclaim the debt. The stage manager opens with  the famous Another Op'ning Another Show which then builds up with groups and individuals to end with all cast, the whole song having a fluidity of movement and energy. Siobahn Smith summons all her shrewishness to deal with the dual roles of lead Lilli Vanessi and Katherine. John Knox as Fred/ Petruchio gave a strong performance showing wiliness in his dealings with his former wife and the gangsters. Their singing impressed: Wunderbar and So in Love in particular showed well matched voices and harmonies while Kate's I Hate Men resonated and terrified those around her.  Petruchio's Where Is the Life That Late I Led held nostalgia and frustration, mirroring his feelings for Lilli. Hannah Easton relished the role of Bianca/ Lois bringing out a flirtatious and sensuous side and singing with passion particularly in the second half. Her love for Lucentio/ Bill, the gambler was tempered with realism in her song Why Can't You Behave? The suitors Tom , Dick and Harry, brought out her coquettishness.  Meanwhile Connor Watt dealt with his double roles of  Lucentio/ Bill with confidence and fine voice. Roddy Bain and Craig W. Lowe were memorably comedic as the Gangsters, with great timing, wonderful facial expressions and real stage presence. I thought their Brush Up Your Shakespeare was never coming but it  brought the house down.  All supporting roles were well characterised with the likes of a long suffering Baptista , a capable Hattie,  an unlover-like General Howell, a camp Paul, a busy Ralph  and solemn Padua priest. Others trebled as stagehands, army drivers and aides with some lovely humorous touches. The chorus seemed to have less to do but sang and moved well in Kiss Me,Kate and Too Darned Hot. The different scenes and eras were clearly evoked with good cloths and sets; all smoothly changed. All in all, a great story, with lots of laughs, set to wonderful music and well delivered by all.

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