Kiss Me Kate (2003)

A live performance of the 1999 revival, taped in London in the theatre in which it was staged, and in front of a live audience. Kiss Me, Kate is a musical written by Samuel and Bella Spewack with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The story involves the production of a musical version of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew and the conflict on and off-stage between Fred Graham, the show's director, producer, and star, and his leading lady, his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi. A secondary romance concerns Lois Lane, the actress playing Bianca, and her gambler boyfriend, Bill, who runs afoul of some gangsters.

The second Broadway revival of Kiss Me, Kate opened in 1999 at the Martin Beck Theatre. The production, which originally starred Marin Mazzie and Brian Stokes Mitchell, later transferred to London with the original leads. The show played at the Victoria Palace Theatre and officially opened on October 30, 2001.

The London revival was filmed during the show’s final week in August 2002. Later on, PBS purchased the broadcasting rights for their 2003 Great Performances season. The musical was also released on DVD that same year.

Michael Billington in the Guardian said of the revival it's 'a almost flawless revival of Cole Porter's 1948 Shakespeare based musical which gives constant, time-suspending pleasure'

Directing:

• Michael Blakemore

Writing:

• Samuel Spewack
• Bella Spewack

Stars:

• Brent Barrett
• Rachel York

Release Date: 2003-02-26

8.0/10