Review: Kiss Me Kate (Chichester Festival Theatre) until September 1
Just when you thought the artistic team there couldn’t top Singin’ in the Rain they have raised the curtain on another masterpiece, Kiss Me Kate.
The 1948-original is still regarded by many as Cole Porter’s greatest triumph – his first show in which he specifically wrote the music and lyrics to dovetail with the script.
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Hide AdIt also reflected the changing post war genre of the stage musical to his best effect, as Rodgers and Hammerstein upped the tempo with shows like Oklahoma.
Kate is a play within a play – it focuses on the antics on stage and behind the scenes of a production of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew.
There are sharp, bitter-sweet comparisons between the Bard’s plot and the real life drama of the key actors – Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi.
There are uncomfortable moments. The theme of a husband controlling his wife through physical violence is out of place in the 21st century in a comic, musical entertainment.
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Hide AdBut there are triumphs too. Too Darn Hot which opens the second half is simply mesmerizing – thanks to extraordinary performance of Jason Pennycooke and Porter’s music.
The star, though, of the show is the star herself, Vanessi played by Hannah Waddingham.
Hers is a multi-layered performance, hyper-charged throughout.
This is a kiss and tell story that Chichester will love.
Gary Shipton