Opera North's Kiss Me, Kate (Photo: Guy Farrow)

Kiss Me, Kate casting revealed

By Robin Johnson Published 13 March 2018

Stephanie Corley will play the titular role of Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate, when the classic musical comedy plays a two-week run at the London Coliseum in June.

Corley, who most recently played Tina in Jonathan Dove’s Flight at Scottish Opera, will play Lilli Vanessi/Kate in Opera North’s production. She is joined by Zoë Rainey (An American In Paris, West End) in the role of Lois Lane/Bianca, Alan Burkitt as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio (having played the role for Welsh National Opera in 2016), and Joseph Shovelton and John Savournin, reprising their scene-stealing turns as dopey mobsters.

The cast will also star Aiesha Pease as Hattie; Stephane Anelli as Paul; James Hayes as Harry Trevor/Baptista; Jack Wilcox as Hortensio; and Malcolm Ridley as Harrison Howell.

Playing in the West End as part of a national tour, Kiss Me, Kate is Cole Porter’s riotously inventive homage to the sparkling wit of Shakespeare – and an infectiously joyous celebration of the madness of working in theatre.

On the opening night of a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew in 1940s Baltimore, the tempestuous love lives of actor-manager Fred Graham and his leading lady (and ex-wife) Lilli Vanessi are set to collide. Throw in Fred’s current paramour Lois Lane and her gambler boyfriend Bill – plus a couple of gun-toting gangsters who somehow get caught up in the show – and the stage is set for a funny and farcical battle of the sexes!

Kiss Me, Kate plays at the London Coliseum from 20 June to 30 June 2018.

Book your Kiss Me, Kate tickets today!

Tagged:
alan burkitt casting cole porter john savournin joseph shovelton kiss me kate london coliseum opera north stephanie corley zoe rainey

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