From the Producer of Anything Goes, comes a new production of Kiss Me, Kate. With Cole Porter’s razor-sharp witted lyrics, it’s ‘The ultimate Broadway musical from the golden age’ (Financial Times) and is Broadway musical comedy meets Shakespeare meets *Noises Off*.
Directed by Bartlett Sher (The King and I, South Pacific and To Kill A Mockingbird*) and with a company of over 50 including a full-scale orchestra, Kiss Me, Kate features classic songs including Another Op'nin', Another Show, Brush Up Your Shakespeare and Tom, Dick or Harry. Adrian Dunbar stars as Fred Graham with Tony Award winner Stephanie J. Block making her West End debut as Lilli Vanessi.
Kiss Me, Kate is the original farce and whisks you into a world of backstage chaos and romantic entanglements. It’s the perfect Summer musical for 2024.
There’s unorthodox casting in the form of Adrian Dunbar (Superintendent Ted Hastings in Line of Duty), who is playing the actor-manager Fred Graham. He may not be the most potent of singers — at times he seems to be coaxing his voice over the hurdles — but he certainly doesn’t disgrace himself. In the scenes of psychological warfare with the Broadway star Stephanie J Block, who plays Fred’s ex-wife Lilli Vanessi, he exhibits a light comic touch. Block is a dynamic presence, wringing every drop of mirth and venom from the semi-operatic I Hate Men. This Lilli is too strong and self-confident to need the protection of modern-day #MeToo campaigners.
Block plays Lilli/Kate with a staunchness and gives-as-good-as-she-gets gutsiness that is absolutely necessary for a role that could otherwise make the gender dynamics even dodgier than they already are. Every time she gets a solo she brings the house down: “So In Love” and “I Hate Men” are models in how to control your voice, invest emotionally in a song and knock the roof off.
1948 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
1949 | US Tour |
National Tour US Tour |
1951 | West End |
London Production West End |
1952 | Broadway |
Return Engagement [Broadway] Broadway |
1965 | Off-Broadway |
City Center Revival Off-Broadway |
1987 | West End |
London Revival West End |
1999 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
2001 | West End |
London Production West End |
2012 | West End |
Old Vic Theatre Production West End |
2016 | New York |
Roundabout Theatre Company Benefit Concert New York |
2018 | West End |
Opera North Production West End |
2019 | Broadway |
Roundabout Theatre Company Revival Broadway |
2024 | West End |
West End |
Videos