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KISS ME KATE
Bournemouth & Boscombe Light Opera Company
The Pavilion
Bournemouth
April 2003

SOMETIMES the success of an amateur production rests as much on the choice of show as it does on performances. This show simply could not have been a better choice for BBLOC, and in my opinion it is as good a production as you’ll see anywhere.
Clearly no expense has been spared on the lavish costumes and scenery, the orchestra and singing – under the baton of Ian Peters – are superb and the sound well balanced. Professional director Ray Jeffery has brought out the best in the entire company, and the fact that he is also appearing in the show as Harry/Baptista speaks volumes for his opinion of them.
The large chorus is often on stage and is never less than sparkling, lively, well positioned and precise in movement. And the principals, even in the smallest roles, are second to none. Ian Reynolds and Cherrill Ashford are just perfect as feuding couple Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi, while Emma McNish (Lois Lane) and Bryan Newman (Bill Calhoun) also shine. And as for the antics of the gangsters, played by Mike Lofthouse and Gerald Ryan – well, words fail me.
Get a ticket, please. It’s wunderbar.

Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo.


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