Kiss Me Kate

 

Review by Paul Towers, 9/8/23

Kiss Me Kate by Sam & Bella Spewack, music & lyrics by Cole Porter

Directed by Alex Sutton

Produced by National Youth Music Theatre

At Curve til Saturday 12 August 2023

“packed full of musical theatre stars of tomorrow”

Kiss Me Kate was Cole Porter’s first musical to use songs to move the story along rather than just bung them in. He was inspired to copy his heroes Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma’s use of the new method.

The Spewacks were asked by producer Arnold Saint-Subber to use his first-hand knowledge of the on and off stage warring of then Broadway superstars husband and wife Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne to mirror the marital sparring of the leading characters in Shakespeare’s The Taming of The Shrew for a musical version. Cole Porter, known for his very clever lyrics, was brought in to provide the songs and music. It was a veritable hit and ran for more than 1,000 performances on Broadway before becoming a worldwide success.

Being an NYMT production there is a huge cast of 44 gathered from all over the country with ages ranging from 11 to 23 and a live orchestra of 27 of similar ages and from just as wide a range of homes.

This production uses a simple set by Richard Cooper enhanced by many wheeled boxes that are rolled on and off as required. Lighting by Jamie Platt ensures the actors are seen.

Cleverly the opening number, Another Opening, is merged into the overture giving the cast plenty of time to transform the bare stage into a bustling theatre backstage.

Kiss Me Kate has a good mix of comedy numbers and the expected romantic ballads. There are also some ambitious big dance numbers which the cast handle perfectly showcasing their tap, modern dance and ballet capabilities.

As the eponymous Kate Sydney Richards belies her 21 years and chews up the scenery using her enormous voice to great effect, especially when she reverts to being actress Lilli Vanessi. That said Charlie Weaver as Lilli’s ex-husband Fred Graham/Petruchio gives just as good as he gets and is evenly matched with his stage partner.

Another good comedy partnership is the two gangsters played by Raphael Goold and  Georgie Lagden, especially when they are forced to ‘blend in’ by dragging up as Lilli’s stand-ins.

Special mention must be made of Joseph Brown’s General Howell, Lilli’s new husband-to-be. Brown carries off the most complicated tongue twisting number in the entire show, Let’s Not Talk About Love. He was word perfect.

As is usual  with National Youth Music Theatre shows they are packed with up and coming talent and Kiss Me Kate is no exception. This show is blessed with an abundance of future musical theatre stars and is highly recommended.

Kiss Me Kate runs at Curve until Saturday 12^th August. Next week NYMT is also presenting The Boy Who Sailed The Ocean In An Armchair at Curve from 16^th August

NYMT website https://tinyurl.com/mr25jpc8

www.curveonline.co.uk

www.ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk