The West Bridgford Operatic Society puts on Kiss Me Kate, Cole Porter's famed musical that juggles a play within a play. Ambitious stuff. So how did they do...
Images by David Kissman
Kiss Me, Kate opening night certainly kicked off with a bang, with the iconic music and lyrics of Cole Porter. Prepare to be launched straight into the energy, frivolity and humour of this clever musical concept, from the first second of “Another Op’nin’, Another Show”. Throughout the story, the character-balancing between the on-stage musical and the musical-within-musical is cleverly and comically portrayed.
Starting in 1950s Baltimore, the main characters’ overlapping relationships unfold with the introduction to Fred Graham (played by Drew Dennis), director of “The Taming of the Shrew” being performed by the cast we are beginning to meet. The key characters of Lilli Vanessi (played by Louise Grantham-Lang) and Lois Lane (played by Steph Jones) are introduced as past/present/overlapping romantic interests for Graham which sets the tone for future chaos to ensue. From the off, comic timing is spot on, with quick-paced dialogue and some impressive Baltimore accents. A strong supporting and ensemble cast brings the excitement-building atmosphere and comprises both talented singers and dancers.
As the audience, our first foray into the on-stage musical is introduced in Act I. The story unfolds following a reckless gambling debt wrongly assigned to the unknowing Fred Graham, who receives a visit from a comedy gangster duo played by Tom Parry and Alasdair Maughan. The introduction of Parry and Maughan’s tweedle dum and tweedle dee-esque double act is wildly entertaining, with caricatured gangster personalities and one-liners to match. It is through this “off-stage” storyline, along with Graham and Vanessi’s messy “off-stage” relationship; we start to see the cracks show in their performances as Petruchio and Katharine “on-stage” in their rendition of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. When Vanessi is unable to contain her anger towards Graham, she threatens to throw their performance and explodes “on-stage”.
owning the spotlight in scenes for both roles with powerhouse vocal delivery.
Quick set changes successfully and smoothly transport us between the Baltimore theatre and the Italian renaissance setting of the courting of sisters Bianca (Lois Lane) and Katherine (Lilli Vanessi). It is through the set dressing of the 16th century Italian town that the cast and costumes comes into their own, with palettes of oranges, greens and blues starkly contrasting with the Baltimore cast’s darker and much more modern wardrobe. The powerhouse vocals of Louise Grantham-Lang truly have their moment with a solo performance of “I Hate Men” as her character, Katherine, unravels at the prospect of marrying Petruchio.
Act II has the audience roaring with laughter as the gangster double-act, now embroiled in the on-stage Shakespearean performance (in rather hilarious costume) blur the lines between the on and off stage even further. Their interaction with Vanessi and the rest of the on-stage cast bring some classic comic moments, tying together the brilliant concept. Drew Dennis’ vocal prowess as both Petruchio and Fred Graham is fabulous - owning the spotlight in scenes for both roles with powerhouse vocal delivery. Special mention also has to go to Steph Jones’ rendition of Always True to You (In My Fashion) cleverly staged with counterpart, Bill Calhoun. Throughout every musical number, the supporting and ensemble cast consistently create vibrant and comedically complimentary background scenery, with stand-out dance numbers.
Together with a fabulous band, who have their own moments through fourth wall-breaking style comedy, the entire performance is high energy, witty and enthralling. Stand-out comedy number has to be the fabulously executed “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” by our comedic gangster duo Parry and Maughan - timed to perfection and impossible not to grin along to.
Highly recommend catching this talented cast in Kiss Me, Kate for a feel good evening of Shakespearean humour whilst you can.
Kiss Me Kate by the West Bridgford Operatic Society plays at the Squire Performing Arts Company from Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 February 2026.
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