Based in New Milton, Hampshire
Kiss Me Kate, Milton Musical Society, Regent Centre, Christchurch
THE plot of Kiss Me Kate sees a fictional theatre company on tour from Venice to Padua with various stop-off points in between. It seemed to me that this production unintentionally encompassed both the high-octane energy that invariably marks a tour’s opening with the inevitable tiredness of its ending, and consequently the high spots – in particular the excellent Too Darn Hot, headlined by the equally excellent Martin Mansfield as Paul - were in great contrast to one or two rather lack-lustre scenes elsewhere.
Max White, despite a commanding presence and strong vocal & acting skills that should have made him ideal for the role, appeared at times to be un-naturally ill-at-ease as Fred, although he certainly came into his own when dealing with ex-wife Lily (a feisty performance from his real-life wife Michele Moulin-White).
Gaynor Adnett was a lovely, bubbly Lois, well matched by Lee Neal as Bill. Her song Tom, Dick or Harry, which also included other suitors Gremio (Sam Matthews) and Hortensio (D’raven Smith), was a delight.
There were good characterisations too from Syd Young (Lippy), Ray Adnett (Slug), Marie Coltman (Hattie) and Roger Cooper (Harrison Howell), and chorus work was strong and lively.
Linda Kirkman
THE plot of Kiss Me Kate sees a fictional theatre company on tour from Venice to Padua with various stop-off points in between. It seemed to me that this production unintentionally encompassed both the high-octane energy that invariably marks a tour’s opening with the inevitable tiredness of its ending, and consequently the high spots – in particular the excellent Too Darn Hot, headlined by the equally excellent Martin Mansfield as Paul - were in great contrast to one or two rather lack-lustre scenes elsewhere.
Max White, despite a commanding presence and strong vocal & acting skills that should have made him ideal for the role, appeared at times to be un-naturally ill-at-ease as Fred, although he certainly came into his own when dealing with ex-wife Lily (a feisty performance from his real-life wife Michele Moulin-White).
Gaynor Adnett was a lovely, bubbly Lois, well matched by Lee Neal as Bill. Her song Tom, Dick or Harry, which also included other suitors Gremio (Sam Matthews) and Hortensio (D’raven Smith), was a delight.
There were good characterisations too from Syd Young (Lippy), Ray Adnett (Slug), Marie Coltman (Hattie) and Roger Cooper (Harrison Howell), and chorus work was strong and lively.
Linda Kirkman
