Kiss Me Kate

This was the first time I had seen this show and what an introduction I had. It was a pleasure to hear well known songs sung well by this company.

Based on Shakespeare's 'Taming of the Shrew' this was a show within a show and tells us the story of the on-off conflict between director Fred Graham and his leading lady, who is also his ex-wife, Lilli Vanessi.

Barry Styles as Fred and Susan Bushby as Lilli led the company well. They acted and sang well in harmony especially When they sang the well known Cole Porter song 'Wunderbar'. Fine performances also came from Rebecca Perry and Patrick Stevenson. A highlight for me was watching George Fletcher and Lynne Ridge as the two gangsters trying to get a gambling debt out of Fred that Bill Calhoun made in his name.

The chorus worked well together and I enjoyed 'Another Op'nin' and Roger Inigo as lead in 'Too Darn Hot'.

The set was good and there were some very colourful costumes especially in the finale. My only crit was that some of the sound ques were a bit late. But that can happen in the best of productions. But saying that all credit to the sound and lighting team who came in at the last minute.

Pam & James Garrington who co-directed the production should be proud of their cast. With Peter Bushby as Musical Director and choreography by Maggie Roberts, this was another hit for 'The Manor'.

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