Kiss Me Kate

This show was the perfect showcase for this company’ s strength’s – strong solo and chorus singing, excellent comic acting, good movement – and they did the music and lyrics of Cole Porter proud. Craig Pike (Fred Graham/Petruchio) and Joanne Smith (Lilli Vanessi/Kate) gave excellent performances as the warring onstage/offstage lovers. As did Steven Reid (Bill Calhoun/Lucentio) and Emma Doyle (Lois Lane/Bianca) as the show within a show’s juvenile leads. Gavin Davidson and Ricky Garden (Man 1 and Man 2) stole every scene they were in with their comic expressions and antics – their “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” was hilarious. Strong support was given by Andrew Begg (General Howell), Kirsten Lobban (Signora Minola, Kate and Bianca’s mother), Stuart Dallas King (Paul), Sarah Duncan (Hattie) and Angus Mackintosh (Pops). It was good to see two of the newer members of the society, Calum Runcie (Hortensio) and Andrew Cameron (Gremio), quit themselves well, especially in the “Tom, Dick or Harry”” number.  The company singing and movement were first class and their “Too Darn Hot” even had the audience panting for air at the end! The sound from the orchestra, under the baton of Ewen A Ritchie, was truly “Wunderbar”. I look forward to “Another Openin, Another Show” from The Lyric MS soon.

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