Wednesday 19 March 2003—Saturday 22 March 2003
Considered by many to be Cole Porter’s masterpiece, “Kiss Me Kate” was first produced on Broadway in 1948, and is a classic example of “a play within a play,” leaning heavily on Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew”.
A group of strolling players, led by actor/manager Fred Graham, arrive in Baltimore to put on a production of “The Shrew”, and at the dress rehearsal it is obvious that relations are somewhat strained between Fred and his leading lady Lilli, who is also his ex-wife. On the opening night, we see that their relationship is similar to the one between Petruchio and Kate, and the parts they play in “The Shrew”. Lilli is angered by Fred’s interest in Lois, a budding young actress, although she herself is engaged to elderly Harrison Howell, who has sunk a lot of money into the show. When actor Bill Calhoun runs up a large gambling debt and signs Fred’s name on the IOU, two “heavies” are sent to the theatre to collect. Meanwhile, Lilli is so exasperated at Fred’s performance both on and off the stage that she refuses to appear anymore. But the show must go on…
Principal Cast
- Fred Graham (Petruchio)
- Ian Stewart
- Harry Trevor (Baptista)
- John Warren
- Lois Lane (Bianca)
- Laura Campbell
- Lilli Vanessi (Katherine)
- Hazel Tazzar
- Ralph (Stage Manager)
- Stuart Lauder
- Hattie
- Eileen McGuire
- Paul
- Allan Ayre
- Stage Doorman
- Gus Gordon
- Bill Calhoun (Lucentio)
- Graham Mathie
- Gangster No 1
- Gary Redmond
- Gangster No 2
- John McGunnigle
- Gremio (First Suitor)
- Scott McKenzie
- Hortensio (Second Suitor)
- Mark Long
- Harrison Howell
- Bert Dobinson
Chorus
- Gillian Stewart
- Lynne Hotchkiss
- Elspeth Mitchell
- Catherine Gahagan
- Carol-Ann Thorburn
- Christine Long
- Elizabeth Paterson
- Kevin Scullion
- Heather Wilson
- Leanne McKenzie
- Rochene Deeley
- Susan O'Neill
- Lynne Seagrave
- Kathleen Redmond
- Karen Major
- Pauline Darnbrough
- Rose-Marie Wright
- Susan McBride
- Joan McIndewar
- Hazel Slattery
- Moira Warren
- Martin Whitehead
Children
Production Staff
- Director
- Frank J. Hotchkiss
- Musical Director
- Douglas G. H. Rolland
- Choreographer
- Helen M Harris
- Rehearsal Accompanist
- George Inwood
- Wardrobe
- Margaret Coates
- Wardrobe
- Susan Stewart
- Wardrobe
- Margaret Yuill
- Makeup
- Nancy Clark
- Lighting & Sound
- Moray Coull
- Lighting Operator
- Heather Bain
- Set Decor
- Margaret Yuill
- Prompt
- Lindsay C. McKerracher
- Programme Compilation
- Irene Muirhead
- Programme Compilation
- Carla Valentini
- Front of House Manager
- Anne Shaw
- Props
- Margaret McDougall
Crew
- Stage Manager
- Carla Valentini
- Stage Crew
- Gary Knox
- Stage Crew
- Eddie McCann
- Stage Crew
- Fiona Burrows
- Stage Crew
- Neil Grant
- Stage Crew
- Gordon McKerracher
- Stage Crew
- Alan Third
- Stage Crew
- Jamie Stewart
- Follow Spot
- David Wilson
- Follow Spot
- Stuart Douglas
- Flys
- Colin Shirley
- Flys
- Ian Johnston