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KISS ME KATE
Ringwood Musical & Dramatic Society
Ringwood School
Ringwood
April 2005

Kiss Me Kate, Ringwood Musical & Dramatic Society, Ringwood School IT’S a tall order for a troupe of players – strolling or otherwise – to convince an audience that they are ‘Shakespearean portrayers dispensing fol de rol frivolity’, not to mention that they are actors playing actors playing actors – but I think, by and large, that RMDS succeeded admirably in their task.
They were helped, without a doubt, by Cole Porter’s brilliant score and an orchestra, led by Jane Lee, who were second-to-none and played like a dream. Oh, and the book is strong too, so the story jogs along with ne-er a dull moment. And, thanks to Poppy Garvey’s excellent direction and some smashing, innovative choreography from Cindy Wischhusen, plus clever sets and colourful costumes, the visual effect was superb.
There were some marvellous characterisations too. I immediately warmed to Dave Wischhusen’s likeable Fred/Petruchio, although had he been somewhat more larger-than-life he would have made a stronger foil for Chrissie Peckham’s beautifully drawn Lilli/Kate. Rachel Eales was an ever-smiling delight as Lois/Bianca, and her suitors were well portrayed by Andy Steeds, Andrew Keates and Nigel Alvis. And Sam Coleman and Julian Peckham came close to stealing the show as stage-struck gangsters, as did Simon Sketchley as a Shylock-type Harry/Baptista.
Too darn hot? I’d say it was just right.

Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo


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