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Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate at the Barbican Theatre

Kiss Me, Kate
Where? Barbican Centre, Silk Street, Barbican When? 4th June to 14th September 2024 7.30 PM (Mon, Wed-Sat) 2.30 PM matinee (Tue, Thu & Sat) Running time? 2 hours 40 mins, with interval Price? From £25 Parking: Nearby car parks Buses: 153 Bus fares Trains: The closest station is Barbican Circle Ham&City Metropolitan Other nearby stations: Moorgate and St. Paul’s Train fares

Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate is coming to the Barbican Theatre for a strictly limited run of eight weeks.

The madcap musical-within-a-musical is a simple love story about two people who can't stand each other, and cleverly weaves together the on and off-stage antics of a theatre company trying to put on a performance of Shakespeare's The Taming Of The Shrew.

Scene from Kiss Me, KatePhoto: Johan Persson/kissmekatemusical.com

Heated arguments between the show's director and leading lady - two bickering divorcees, Fred and Lilli - eventually spills out onto the stage and causes chaos on the opening night.

Life begins to imitate art as their characters wage war on each other, but as their verbal and physical fury plays out in public it seems to rekindle a passion in their real-life relationship.

Will the show manage to bring them closer together? Or will it be forced to close early?

Cole Porter's award-winning score

The Tony Award-winning score is reknowned for its catchy tunes and energetic dance numbers, and features classic tracks like Too Darn Hot, Tom Dick Or Harry, Always True To You, So In Love and Brush Up Your Shakespeare.

Scene from Kiss Me, KatePhoto: Johan Persson/kissmekatemusical.com

Line Of Duty's Adrian Dunbar

The cast includes the BAFTA Award-winning actor Adrian Dunbar - best known for playing Superintendent Ted Hastings in Line Of Duty and Martin Summers in Ashes To Ahes.

The role of leading lady will be taken by the Tony Award-winning actress and Broadway legend Stephanie J Block, making her West End debut at the Barbican.

The role of General Harrison Howell will be taken by Peter Davison from Dr Who and All Creatures Great And Small.

What the theatre critics say...

Daily Mail: ★★★★★ "Sexy and sassy. Great songs, hot dancing and smart gags"; The Telegraph: ★★★★ "A sizzling summer hit"; The I: ★★★★ "Adrian Dunbar is a revelation"; Financial Times: "The ultimate Broadway musical from the golden age"; The Independent: "A supremely lovely way to spend a summer evening"

Kiss Me Kate Cast & Creatives

Director: Bartlett Sher; Written by: Sam Spewack, Bella Spewack; Cast: Adrian Dunbar, Stephanie J Block, Charlie Stemp, Georgina Onuorah, Hammed Animashaun, Nigel Lindsay, Peter Davison; Music and lyrics: Cole Porter

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