Kiss Me Kate

Cole Porter’s enduring 1948 musical-within-a-musical follows the Baltimore try-out of a show based on Shakespeare’s, The Taming of the Shrew. The interplay between 1948 America and 1600s Shakespeare was used to excellent effect in Alnwick’s Stage Musical.  It is based around a theatre company touring the US with a musical production of The Taming of the Shrew. This musical was new to me but not to the Alnwick Stage Musical Society who last performed Kiss Me Kate in the year 2000, 25 years ago. I had the privilege of meeting members in the audience who were able to reminisce about the previous production in 2000. Kiss Me Kate is more than a musical; it is also a comedy and the performers on stage were skilled in delivering comedy lines and there were many laughs and giggles.

The show opened with Hattie (Mariana Santiago-Sobo) singing Another Op’nin’ Another Show, supported by the Chorus who transported us into the delights of musical theatre. In the audience we were excited about what was to follow.

The two main characters Lilli Vanessi/Katharine (Diane Maughan) and Fred Graham/Petruchio (Darren Lewis) were superbly cast in their roles.  Their relationship on stage is, understandably, fractious but this is compounded by the fact he’s having an affair with Lois Lane/Bianca. (Meg Fletcher) The stage squabbles of you both were perfectly performed and timed.

Bill Calhoun/Lucentio (Andy Beavan) is a gambler and has built up a sizeable debt and signed an IOU to his gangster creditor but in Fred’s name. Two gangsters turn up to get their boss’ money from Fred. He hasn’t a clue what is going on but says they can have the money when the show is done. The shenanigans of the gangsters (1. Lynsey Appleby) and (2. Eric Thibeault) brought light entertainment and the audience delighted in your duet Brush Up Your Shakespeare. You both clearly enjoyed your dual role and the audience did too.

Diane Maughan’s non-verbal communication in the role of Lilli/Katharine brilliantly portrayed to the audience that this lady was not one to be tamed. Your facial expressions told the story and you have a real gift of stage presence and articulation. Congratulations to the costume and wardrobe crew who adorned you with the elegance worthy of a leading lady. I particularly enjoyed your solo So in Love.

Darren, your narrative as Fred/Petruchio was word perfect and you accepted the blows rained down on you by Lillie/Katharine with little hint of retaliation. You are clearly an accomplished actor and gave a brilliant performance. Your rendition of Were Thine That Special Face, So in Love and Where is The Life That Late I Led were particularly powerful and were delivered with such emotion. Well done, Darren. I must also mention that I was particularly impressed by yours and Lilli’s duet of Wunderbar. Performed with such gusto I wanted to sing along.

Meg Fletcher is similarly wonderful as the sexy and sassy Lois Lane/Bianca, delivering a performance that showcases talent, in a story where women are the subject of control. She delivers the joys of a woman free in her mind, body and ambitions. Your number Always True to You was thoroughly entertaining. Well done Meg, a polished performance.

I notice from the programme the role of Lois Lane/Bianca was played by Emily Pearse on the 19th and 22nd of March so whilst not in a position to review her performance I applaud the flexibility of sharing a role where circumstances call for it.

Harry Baptista (Stuart Archer) acted out with confidence the father who is desperate to marry off his daughters. You were very convincing. The character of the gambling Bill (Andy Beaven) who gave a compelling and polished performance. Your performance with Lois Lane/Bianca and the emotion in the song, Why Can’t You Behave, set the scene of the relationship perfectly.

For me one of the highlights of this musical was the opening ensemble of the second act, Too Darn Hot. The opening led by Paul (Mark Stenton) progressed into a musical spectacle that was choreographed to perfection. The casts dedication to rehearsal resulted in a polished performance. You have a talented group of singers and dancers. Well done to you all.

The stage set I found complicated and some of the the audience had view of back stage activity, stage right, that was distracting.  On stage those wearing white need to wear white undergarments as the stage lights revealed those who had not considered their undergarments within the context of the costume they were wearing. 

Alnwick Stage Musical Society are so fortunate to have “The Band” and live music is such a bonus. The music was first class and I thoroughly enjoyed the music.

I do not underestimate the work and energy all members of the Alnwick Musical Society commit to both on and off stage, resulting in another amazing show. Once again, the team have given their audience a musical they will remember. Well done to you all.

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