Kiss Me, Kate
Kiss Me, Kate - 2024 West End History , Info & More
Barbican Centre
(Barbican/Moorgate) Silk Street London
From the Producer of Anything Goes, comes a new production of Kiss Me, Kate. With Cole Porter’s razor-sharp witted lyrics, it’s ‘The ultimate Broadway musical from the golden age’ (Financial Times) and is Broadway musical comedy meets Shakespeare meets *Noises Off*.
Directed by Bartlett Sher (The King and I, South Pacific and To Kill A Mockingbird*) and with a company of over 50 including a full-scale orchestra, Kiss Me, Kate features classic songs including Another Op'nin', Another Show, Brush Up Your Shakespeare and Tom, Dick or Harry. Adrian Dunbar stars as Fred Graham with Tony Award winner Stephanie J. Block making her West End debut as Lilli Vanessi.
Kiss Me, Kate is the original farce and whisks you into a world of backstage chaos and romantic entanglements. It’s the perfect Summer musical for 2024.
Kiss Me, Kate - 2024 - West End Cast
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Kiss Me, Kate
A solid new production of the classic does enough to refine the rough edges
8 / 10
Reaching almost 80 years in age, the show’s flaws aren’t hard to spot (incessant bouts of sexism seem to rear their heads a fair wad). Much as he did with his lavish productions of My Fair Lady and The King and I, Sher is the perfect man for the job here: adding small interventions to the numbers and blocking to both broaden and deepen Graham and Vanessi’s relationship. It’s subtle, and never feels extravagantly overt, but does make the material far more palatable – even though the “spanking” scene still raises an eyebrow or two.
Huge fun, and Adrian Dunbar doesn’t disgrace himself
8 / 10
There’s unorthodox casting in the form of Adrian Dunbar (Superintendent Ted Hastings in Line of Duty), who is playing the actor-manager Fred Graham. He may not be the most potent of singers — at times he seems to be coaxing his voice over the hurdles — but he certainly doesn’t disgrace himself. In the scenes of psychological warfare with the Broadway star Stephanie J Block, who plays Fred’s ex-wife Lilli Vanessi, he exhibits a light comic touch. Block is a dynamic presence, wringing every drop of mirth and venom from the semi-operatic I Hate Men. This Lilli is too strong and self-confident to need the protection of modern-day #MeToo campaigners.
Category
by Blair Ingenthron - September 14, 2024
Kiss Me, Kate at the Barbican Centre, starring Stephanie J. Block and Adrian Dunbar, plays its final performance today, Saturday, 14 September.
by Stephi Wild - August 30, 2024
Kiss Me, Kate at London's Barbican Centre will receive a cinema release! Fans of the show can sign up for an email list to be notified when more information has been announced.
by Blair Ingenthron - August 3, 2024
Watch Stephanie J. Block sing 'So In Love' from Kiss Me, Kate, running at the Barbican Centre through 14 Sep 2024.
by BWW Special Offer - July 18, 2024
Save big on Kiss Me, Kate, this summer’s five-star Barbican blockbuster.
by Nicole Rosky - July 16, 2024
Stephanie J. Block and Adrian Dunbar are currently starring in Kiss Me, Kate at London's Barbican Centre, running through 14 September. In this all new video, watch highlights of the cast in action!
by Aliya Al-Hassan - June 19, 2024
A new production of Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate, starring Adrian Dunbar and Broadway Royalty and Tony Award Winner Stephanie J. Block, making her West End debut, has now opened.
by Gary Naylor - June 18, 2024
Adrian Dunbar is the starriest of a starry cast, but lacks the specific experience required to lead the show to its fullest potential
by Stephi Wild - June 18, 2024
Stephanie J. Block and Adrian Dunbar are currently starring in Kiss Me, Kate at London's Barbican Centre, running through 14 September. In this all new video, watch a clip from 'Too Darn Hot' from the show.
by Nicole Rosky - June 12, 2024
Stephanie J. Block and Adrian Dunbar star in Kiss Me, Kate at London's Barbican Centre, running through 14 September. Check out photos of the cast in action here.
by A.A. Cristi - May 31, 2024
Go inside the sitzprobe for the upcoming West End revival of Cole Poter's KISS ME, KATE starring Olivier nominee Charlie Stemp (Crazy For Yoanu, Mary Poppins) and rising star Georgina Onuorah (The Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma!). See the video.
by Stephi Wild - May 21, 2024
Stephanie J. Block and Adrian Dunbar will star in Kiss Me, Kate at London's Barbican Centre beginning 4 June and running through 14 September. Check out all new rehearsal photos here!
by Stephi Wild - April 10, 2024
Further casting has been announced for one of the all-time classic musical comedies, KISS ME, KATE, which is making a long awaited return to the London stage this summer for a strictly limited 15-week run from 4th June until 14th September at the Barbican Theatre.
by Blair Ingenthron - April 6, 2024
In the video here, watch Stephanie J. Block strike a pose as Lilli Vanessi in a photoshoot for Barbican Theatre's Kiss Me Kate!
by Blair Ingenthron - March 16, 2024
Watch a trailer for Kiss Me Kate, starring Stephanie J. Block, Adrian Dunbar, and more, coming to the Barbican Centre in London this summer!
by Stephi Wild - February 6, 2024
Olivier nominee Charlie Stemp (Crazy For You, Mary Poppins) and rising star Georgina Onuorah (The Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma!) are set to captivate audiences this summer as they co-star in the much-loved quintessential Cole Porter musical comedy KISS ME, KATE.
Kiss Me, Kate FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Another Op'nin' Dance
Why Can't You Behave?
Wunderbar
So in Love
We Open in Venice
Venice Dance
Tom, Dick or Harry
Rose Dance
I've Come to Wive It Wealthily in Padua
I Hate Men
Were Thine That Special Face
I Sing of Love
Tarantella
Kiss Me Kate
Too Darn Hot
Too Darn Hot Dance
Where Is the Life That Late I Led?
Always True to You in My Fashion
Bianca
Brush Up Your Shakespeare
Pavanne
I Am Ashamed That Women Are So Simple
It Was Great Fun the First Time
A Woman's Career
If Ever Married I'm
We Shall Never Be Younger
What Does Your Servant Dream About?
I'm Afraid, Sweetheart, I Love You
Harlequin Ballerina
From This Moment On
Kiss Me, Kate History
Other Productions of Kiss Me, Kate
| 1948 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| 1949 | US Tour |
National Tour US Tour |
| 1951 | West End |
London Production West End |
| 1952 | Broadway |
Return Engagement [Broadway] Broadway |
| 1965 | Off-Broadway |
City Center Revival Off-Broadway |
| 1987 | West End |
London Revival West End |
| 1999 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
| 2001 | West End |
London Production West End |
| 2012 | West End |
Old Vic Theatre Production West End |
| 2016 | New York |
Roundabout Theatre Company Benefit Concert New York |
| 2018 | West End |
Opera North Production West End |
| 2019 | Broadway |
Roundabout Theatre Company Revival Broadway |
| 2024 | West End |
West End |
Videos