I had missed this show on Broadway, so when I went to London while it was playing there, I decided I should go! However, I didn't intend to go on the particular evening that I went - a friend was joining me for the evening, and we were hoping to see Bombay Dreams. But when we couldn't get tickets for that, I suggested we try Kiss Me, Kate instead, and I was a little apprehensive about it - she's not a big fan of the theatre, the last show we'd seen together had not impressed her, and I was afraid it would be a little too old-fashioned and corny for her.

However, I shouldn't have worried! We both had a great time. Although we had bought upper circle seats, the theatre was so empty (why??) that they closed the upper circle, and we got front row seats in the dress circle! So it was an excellent view. I was also looking forward to the cast, particularly because I had seen Rachel York in The Scarlet Pimpernel many times, so I knew she was great, and I enjoyed Michael Berresse on the cast recording, and Brent Barrett on the other recordings I've heard with him. And, they all lived up to my expectations.

Nancy Anderson was quite good as Lois Lane, but her character doesn't appeal to me that much. I could do with less of her, and also much less of the thugs ("Brush Up Your Shakespeare" is a verse or two too long for my liking!). Oh, and "Too Darn Hot" is too long as well. Now that I'm done complaining... ;-)

Probably my favourite song from the show is "So in Love", and both Rachel and Brent sang it beautifully. Both of these actors have very expressive faces, which are well suited to the broad comedy of the "onstage" parts of the show. Aside from the two leads, I loved the way Michael Berresse climbed the set in "Bianca" - very impressive! The dancing was great, and the costumes and sets are beautiful. It is a great production, and I'm really glad that I made the choice to see it!

The cast: (in order of appearance)

Hattie KAYE E. BROWN
Paul NOLAN FREDERICK
Ralph (Stage Manager) ALAN VICARY
Lois Lane NANCY ANDERSON
Bill Calhoun MICHAEL BERRESSE
Lilli Vanessi RACHEL YORK
Dance Captain CHRISTOPHER STEWART
Fred Graham BRENT BARRETT
Harry Trevor COLIN FARRELL
Pops (Stage Doorman) DUNCAN SMITH
Cab Driver ANDREW SPILLETT
First Man TEDDY KEMPNER
Second Man JACK CHISSICK
Harrison Howell NICOLAS COLICOS
"Taming of the Shrew" Players
Bianca (Lois Lane) NANCY ANDERSON
Baptitsta (Harry Trevor) COLIN FARRELL
Gremio (First Suitor) NICK WINSTON
Hortensio (Second Suitor) BARRY McNEILL
Lucentio (Bill Calhoun) MICHAEL BERRESSE
Katharine (Lilli Vanessi) RACHEL YORK
Petruchio (Fred Graham) BRENT BARRETT
Nathaniel ANDREW SPILLETT
Gregory CHRISTOPHER STEWART
Philip PHILLIP SUTTON
Haberdasher RICHARD SIDAWAY
Ensemble VIKKI COOTE
CATHERINE DIGGES
REBECCA GIACOPAZZI
LIZZIE LEIGH
BARRY McNEILL
JO NAPTHINE
RICHARD SIDAWAY
DUNCAN SMITH
SARAH SOETAERT
ANDREW SPILLETT
CHRISTOPHER STEWART
PHILLIP SUTTON
ALAN VICARY
NICK WATSON
ANNETTE YEO


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