BMTC's Kiss Me, Kate Certainly Was Too Darn Hot

Bournville Musical Theatre Company left the audience in rapturous applause last night after their production of Kiss Me, Kate at The Crescent Theatre. 

Kiss Me, Kate follows the plight of a theatrical group attempting to perform Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew and the turmoil unleashed as 10Gs are lost, flowers end up in the wrong dressing room and past relationships are unravelled.

Lilli/Kate was played superbly by Rhian Clements with a particularly feisty performance of I Hate Men, which was brilliant. As her fiery relationship with her former husband Fred/Petruchio (played by John Morrison) reaches breaking point, the tension offstage translates into their performances onstage, which was hilarious. 

Another relationship in turmoil is that of Lois/Bianca (played by Lucy Evans) and Bill/Lucentio (played by Dan Jones). Why Can't You Behave? and Always True To You In My Fashion was cheekily performed by Evans and her rendition of Tom, Dick and Harry with the support of Jones, Adam Heeley as Gremio and Ralph Toppin as Hortensio was fantastic.

Kris Evans and Jonathan Eastwood formed the exceedingly amusing gangster duo who arrive to collect the 10G debt. As they end up forming part of the production, as two fools, they had the audience in fits of laughter. A particular highlight is in the second half as they break into Brush Up Your Shakespeare. 

Talking of the second half, the opening scene with Too Darn Hot was a triumph. The choreography was impeccable from Chloe Turner, executed expertly by the cast, with a special mention to Jordan McKenzie whose dancing was sublime. 

The band were stunning under the fabulous musical direction from Chris Corcoran, coupled with the wonderful harmonies delivered from the entire ensemble, it was clear that a lot of time, effort and energy was put into this delightful performance under the direction of Ann-Louise McGregor. 

For more information and to book tickets for Kiss Me, Kate, which runs until 16 May, click here or call the Crescent Theatre box office on 0121 643 5858.