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Kiss Me Kate
Kiss Me Kate was performed at the Co-operative Arts Theatre in Nottingham between Monday 10th October and Saturday 15th October 1994.
By arrangement with Musicscope Ltd. and Stage Musicals Ltd. New York, with music and lyrics are by Cole Porter and the book by Sam & Bella Spewack.
The great Cole Porter poured a huge amount of his best music into Kiss Me Kate. The score scintillates with hits like "Wunderbar", "Always True To You In My Fashion", "Why Can't You Behave", "Too Darned Hot" ..... a great stream of lovely melody allied to words by the wittiest lyricist America ever produced.
Lois Lane's long-term cabaret partner Bill Calhoun is to play the role of Lucentio. Bill, an inveterate gambler, has missed the final rehearsal because of a card-game at which he has signed a marker for $10,000 to cover his losses. Hard-up as usual he has used his new boss Fred Graham's name and not his own, hence confusion ensues when two gangsters arrive to see about collecting the debt.
Lilli received flowers from Fred, a replica of her wedding bouquet and for a while wonders whether their divorce had been a mistake. When she discovers from the card with the flowers that they were intended for Lois, she storms off to play the role of Katherine, the shrew, with more than usual zest.
Baptista Minola, a wealthy merchant, has two daughters, the fair Bianca and Katherine, known as Kate. Bianca is wooed by three ardent suitors: Gremio, Hortensio and Lucentio, but as the younger daughter, she cannot wed until a husband has been found for her sister. No easy task since Kate's reputation as a shrew is well known in Padua. Petruchio arrives from Verona with the express intention of finding a wealthy wife. He is warned of Kate's ill-temper by Lucentio but since Kate is rich the warning counts for naught!
In Petrucio's attempt to tame Kate, Fred finds that art holds up a mirror to life reflecting his stormy relationship with Lilli. With the two stories inextricably intertwined Lilli threatens to walk out of the show to marry Harrison. Surprisingly, it is the gangsters who help to save the day.
Dear Friends,
Whilst Beeston Operatic Society almost naturally feel each Annual Production is a Special occasion during it's lifetime, a focus on this 27th years it is felt to be without parallel.
The very high standard of which The Society is so proud almost reaches the point of "going without saying" and we are confident the KISS ME KATE, which you are seeing tonight reflects that high pinnacle. However it must be said that the weeks up to Presentation date saw a huge cloud of some doubtful proportions hit the so hard working rehearsals of the cast.
The News that the Chairman & Producer of Beeston Operatic Society , Michael Wright, was suddenly stricken with ill health came as a shock to which some less fortunate Societies than ours might have found it impossible to recover from. However at such a time of crisis,there was a testing of stability and The Societies firm foundation produced two people who were able to take over the reigns almost overnight. In the words of the now much recovered Michael himself, "Christine Kilbome and Mel Seal have both done a splendid job in keeping the ship sailing on even keel" and it was his wish that I should convey his gratitude in this official manner. Thanks also to The Society who responded so well.
It was intended that this year, 1994, should have been a cheerful Congratulation,and it still is to Michael, who,is maiicing this his completion of 40 years in the World of Amateur Theatricals. A record which few will match and we all say with one accord, Well done.
As the curtain rises, Vice president Councillor Kath Archer joins me in saying, grateful thanks,and congratulations to The Society and a Sincere message of appreciation to you our Patrons for yet again supporting us and long may it continue.
Sincerely Yours,
Walter Hayes, President
Scene 2 - The Corridor - Back Stage
Scene 3 - Dressing Rooms of Lilli Vanessi & Fred Graham
Scene 4 - Padua
Scene 5 - Street Scene - Padua
Scene 6 - Backstage
Scene 7 - Dressing Room of Lilli Vanessi & Fred Graham
Scene 8 - The Church
Scene 2 - Before The Curtain
Scene 3 - In front of Petruchio's House
Scene 4 - The Corridor - Backstage
Scene 5 - Dressing Room of Lilli Vanessi & Fred Graham
Scene 6 - The Corridor - Backstage
Scene 7 - Before The Curtain
Scene 8 - Baptista's House
Why Can't You Behave? (Lois & Bill)
Wunderbar (Lilli & Fred)
So In Love (Lilli)
We Open In Venice (Katharine, Petruchio, Bianca, Lucentio & Chorus)
Tom, Dick or Harry (Gremio, Lucentio, Hortensio & Bianca)
I've Come To Wive It Wealthily In Padua (Petruchio & Men)
I Hate Men (Katharine)
Where Thine That Special Face (Petruchio)
I Sing Of Love (Bianca, Lucentio & Chorus)
Finale Act 1 (Katharine, Petruchio & Chorus)
Where Is The Life That Late I Lead?
Always True To You In My Fashion (Lois)
Bianca (Bill & Girls)
Reprise : So In Love Am I (Fred)
Brush Up Your Shakespeare (The Gangsters)
Women Are So Simple (Katharine)
Shrew Finale: So Kiss Me Kate (Full Company)
Grand Finale (Full Company)
2nd Gangster - Colin Richmond
Bill Calhoun / Lucentio - John Henson
Fred Graham / Petruchio - Jim Blackmore
Gremio - Stuart Smith
Harrison Howell - Michael Dowdeswell
Harry Trevor / Baptista - David Heard
Hattie - Cheryl Mills
Hortensio - John Maddison
Lilli Vanessi / Katharine - Kathlyn Phillips
Lois Lane / Biance - Alison Lawrence
Paul - Alan Richmond
Cello - Abbe Rockall
Percussion - Tony Whilde
Piano - Iris Edginton
Reed - Catherine Waddoups, Michael Tyler-Shelton, Owen Edwards
Trombone - Terry Tricker
Trumpet - Kevin Dye
Violin - Gwen Hall, Pauline Toone, Sarah Foxley
Box Office - Frank Edmonds
Choregraphy - Christine Kilbourn
Front of House - Frank Edmonds & Team
Make Up - Sandra & Team
Musical Director - Mel Seal
Producer - Michael Wright
Prompt - Beryl Henson
Props - Margaret Wright
Rehearsal Pianist - Iris Edgington
Set Design/Painter - Michael Dowdeswell
Stage Crew - Alan Stainton, David Hinchliffe, Marie Jenkins, Richard Phillips
Stage Manager - Martyn Wright
Wardrobe Mistress - Barbara Doughty
If you took part in this show and have memories to share or don't have a profile, and would like one, we'd love you to contact us.
Kiss Me Kate
Kiss Me Kate was performed at the Co-operative Arts Theatre in Nottingham between Monday 10th October and Saturday 15th October 1994.
By arrangement with Musicscope Ltd. and Stage Musicals Ltd. New York, with music and lyrics are by Cole Porter and the book by Sam & Bella Spewack.
The great Cole Porter poured a huge amount of his best music into Kiss Me Kate. The score scintillates with hits like "Wunderbar", "Always True To You In My Fashion", "Why Can't You Behave", "Too Darned Hot" ..... a great stream of lovely melody allied to words by the wittiest lyricist America ever produced.
The Story of Kiss Me Kate
Actor/Manager Fred Graham and his ex-wife, movie star Lilli Vanessi, are to play the leads in a musical version of Shakespeare's The Taming of the shrew, which he is producing. Fred is currently attracted to his new protégée, cabaret artiste Lois Lane, making her Shakespearian debut as Bianca. Lilli is engaged to wealthy politician, Harrison Howell who she has persuaded to back the show to the tune of $200,000. Lilli feels snubbed by Fred's attentions to Lois at the curtain-calls rehearsal.Lois Lane's long-term cabaret partner Bill Calhoun is to play the role of Lucentio. Bill, an inveterate gambler, has missed the final rehearsal because of a card-game at which he has signed a marker for $10,000 to cover his losses. Hard-up as usual he has used his new boss Fred Graham's name and not his own, hence confusion ensues when two gangsters arrive to see about collecting the debt.
Lilli received flowers from Fred, a replica of her wedding bouquet and for a while wonders whether their divorce had been a mistake. When she discovers from the card with the flowers that they were intended for Lois, she storms off to play the role of Katherine, the shrew, with more than usual zest.
The Story on Stage in Padua
Baptista Minola, a wealthy merchant, has two daughters, the fair Bianca and Katherine, known as Kate. Bianca is wooed by three ardent suitors: Gremio, Hortensio and Lucentio, but as the younger daughter, she cannot wed until a husband has been found for her sister. No easy task since Kate's reputation as a shrew is well known in Padua. Petruchio arrives from Verona with the express intention of finding a wealthy wife. He is warned of Kate's ill-temper by Lucentio but since Kate is rich the warning counts for naught!Happy Endings...
In Petrucio's attempt to tame Kate, Fred finds that art holds up a mirror to life reflecting his stormy relationship with Lilli. With the two stories inextricably intertwined Lilli threatens to walk out of the show to marry Harrison. Surprisingly, it is the gangsters who help to save the day.
Dear Friends,Whilst Beeston Operatic Society almost naturally feel each Annual Production is a Special occasion during it's lifetime, a focus on this 27th years it is felt to be without parallel.
The very high standard of which The Society is so proud almost reaches the point of "going without saying" and we are confident the KISS ME KATE, which you are seeing tonight reflects that high pinnacle. However it must be said that the weeks up to Presentation date saw a huge cloud of some doubtful proportions hit the so hard working rehearsals of the cast.
The News that the Chairman & Producer of Beeston Operatic Society , Michael Wright, was suddenly stricken with ill health came as a shock to which some less fortunate Societies than ours might have found it impossible to recover from. However at such a time of crisis,there was a testing of stability and The Societies firm foundation produced two people who were able to take over the reigns almost overnight. In the words of the now much recovered Michael himself, "Christine Kilbome and Mel Seal have both done a splendid job in keeping the ship sailing on even keel" and it was his wish that I should convey his gratitude in this official manner. Thanks also to The Society who responded so well.
It was intended that this year, 1994, should have been a cheerful Congratulation,and it still is to Michael, who,is maiicing this his completion of 40 years in the World of Amateur Theatricals. A record which few will match and we all say with one accord, Well done.
As the curtain rises, Vice president Councillor Kath Archer joins me in saying, grateful thanks,and congratulations to The Society and a Sincere message of appreciation to you our Patrons for yet again supporting us and long may it continue.
Sincerely Yours,
Walter Hayes, President
Synopsis of Show
Act 1
Scene 1 - Stage of Ford Theatre - BaltimoreScene 2 - The Corridor - Back Stage
Scene 3 - Dressing Rooms of Lilli Vanessi & Fred Graham
Scene 4 - Padua
Scene 5 - Street Scene - Padua
Scene 6 - Backstage
Scene 7 - Dressing Room of Lilli Vanessi & Fred Graham
Scene 8 - The Church
Act 2
Scene 1 - The Stage Door AlleyScene 2 - Before The Curtain
Scene 3 - In front of Petruchio's House
Scene 4 - The Corridor - Backstage
Scene 5 - Dressing Room of Lilli Vanessi & Fred Graham
Scene 6 - The Corridor - Backstage
Scene 7 - Before The Curtain
Scene 8 - Baptista's House
Musical Numbers
Act 1
Another Openin', Another Show (Hattie & Chorus)Why Can't You Behave? (Lois & Bill)
Wunderbar (Lilli & Fred)
So In Love (Lilli)
We Open In Venice (Katharine, Petruchio, Bianca, Lucentio & Chorus)
Tom, Dick or Harry (Gremio, Lucentio, Hortensio & Bianca)
I've Come To Wive It Wealthily In Padua (Petruchio & Men)
I Hate Men (Katharine)
Where Thine That Special Face (Petruchio)
I Sing Of Love (Bianca, Lucentio & Chorus)
Finale Act 1 (Katharine, Petruchio & Chorus)
Act 2
Too Darn Hot (Paul, Men & Dancers)Where Is The Life That Late I Lead?
Always True To You In My Fashion (Lois)
Bianca (Bill & Girls)
Reprise : So In Love Am I (Fred)
Brush Up Your Shakespeare (The Gangsters)
Women Are So Simple (Katharine)
Shrew Finale: So Kiss Me Kate (Full Company)
Grand Finale (Full Company)
The Cast
1st Gangster - Guy Benson2nd Gangster - Colin Richmond
Bill Calhoun / Lucentio - John Henson
Fred Graham / Petruchio - Jim Blackmore
Gremio - Stuart Smith
Harrison Howell - Michael Dowdeswell
Harry Trevor / Baptista - David Heard
Hattie - Cheryl Mills
Hortensio - John Maddison
Lilli Vanessi / Katharine - Kathlyn Phillips
Lois Lane / Biance - Alison Lawrence
Paul - Alan Richmond
The Chorus
Alan Richmond, Anthea Hinchliffe, Barbara Doughty, Barbara Saville, Betty Bosworth, Brian Bradley, Carrie-Anne Smith, Cheryl Mills, Christine Kilbourn, Claire Farrand, David Heard, David Walters, Esther Banford, Jane Cottee, John Maddiso, Julie Freemantle, Kate Richmond, Maria Lambley, Maxine Taylor, Mike Dowdeswell, Mollie Harwood, Paul Lemon, Pete Prentice, Phil Steele, Roma Drinkwater, Ruth Beards, Ruth Maddison, Sarah Henson, Sarah Saunders, Steve Mills, Stuart Smith, Susan Evans, Val Sutton, Wenda SmithDancers
Carrie-Anne Smith, Cheryl Mills, Christine Kilbourn, Claire Farrand, Esther Banford, Jane Cottee, Julie Freemantle, Kate Richmond, Maria Lambley, Maxine Taylor, Ruth Beards, Sarah Henson, Susan Evans, Val Sutton, Wenda SmithThe Orchestra
Bass - David Scott-SavageCello - Abbe Rockall
Percussion - Tony Whilde
Piano - Iris Edginton
Reed - Catherine Waddoups, Michael Tyler-Shelton, Owen Edwards
Trombone - Terry Tricker
Trumpet - Kevin Dye
Violin - Gwen Hall, Pauline Toone, Sarah Foxley
The Production Team
Assistant Stage Manager - Simon SuttonBox Office - Frank Edmonds
Choregraphy - Christine Kilbourn
Front of House - Frank Edmonds & Team
Make Up - Sandra & Team
Musical Director - Mel Seal
Producer - Michael Wright
Prompt - Beryl Henson
Props - Margaret Wright
Rehearsal Pianist - Iris Edgington
Set Design/Painter - Michael Dowdeswell
Stage Crew - Alan Stainton, David Hinchliffe, Marie Jenkins, Richard Phillips
Stage Manager - Martyn Wright
Wardrobe Mistress - Barbara Doughty
If you took part in this show and have memories to share or don't have a profile, and would like one, we'd love you to contact us.
Newspaper Clippings
