Return of Kiss me Kate

Published: 16 March 2018
Reporter: Sheila Connor

The cast has been announced for the return of Opera North's award-winning production of Cole Porter's musical comedy Kiss Me Kate, which opens at Leeds Grand Theatre in May, then tours to the Ravenna Festival, London Coliseum and Festival Theatre Edinburgh.

Stephanie Corley joins the cast as Lilli Vanessi / Kate and Quirlin de Lang once again plays Lilli's ex-husband and tormentor-in-chief Fred Graham / Petruchio.

Zoe Rainey will play Lois Lane / Bianca, Alan Burkitt returns as Bill Calhoun / Lucentio and Joseph Shovelton and John Savournin will once again play the dopey mobsters with "Brush up your Shakespeare".

Also appearing are Alesha Pease, Stephane Anelli, James Hayes, Jack Wilcos and Malcolm Ridley.

Richard Mantle, General Director of Opera North, said, "Kiss Me Kate is a real treat of a show boasting what is probably Cole Porter's richest, most accomplished theatrical score. It's serious fun, and Opera North's landmark production approaches it with the respect it demands, benefiting from David Charles Abell's critical edition of the score and recognising the huge range of musical and dramatic skills that is calls for.

"With this in mind, we have brought together a gifted cast from the worlds of opera and musical theatre to join the Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North and we're thrilled to be bringing this production back to the stage in 2018."

Kiss Me, Kate is conducted by James Holmes and directed by Jo Davies.

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