Presented by: Hills Musical Company
Reviewed: 28 April, 2023
Based on the Shakespeare play Taming of the Shrew, with the book written by Sam and Bella Spewack and a musical score and lyrics by the one and only Cole Porter, this musical has been entertaining people since its opening in 1948, 75 years! Musicals like this have been a little out of fashion recently but there is plenty to like in this production. Hayley Horton has gathered a good cast and secured the talents of Ben Stefanoff as musical director and the creativity of Vanessa Redmond for the choreography, a great team.
Cole Porter always included lots of dance music in his musicals and often they prove too much for amateur companies but not this time. With a well drilled dance chorus Redmond has made every dance break interesting. The chorus harmonies are also worth hearing, backing up some strong leads. The story revolves around the sisters Katherine and Bianca. Younger sister Bianca can’t wed until her older sister Katherine accepts a suitor, but Katherine’s manners and bad temper is putting suitors off.
Lead player Petruchio (aka Fred Graham) is played by Daniel Hamilton fighting and singing with Katherine (aka Lili Vanessi) , his ex-wife, played by Claire McEvoy. These two are well matched. McEvoy more than does justice to numbers such as So in Love and I Hate Men whilst Hamilton gives excellent character to numbers like I‘ve Come To Wive It Wealthily In Padua and Where Is The Life That Late I Led?.
Bill Calhoun and Lois Lane (aka Lucentio and Bianca) are played by Kristian Latella and Madi Gray. They have fun in numbers like Why Can’t You Behave whilst Latella makes fine work of Bianca and Grey excels in Always True to You In My Fashion and Tom, Dick or Harry. As Hattie, the popular Robyn Brookes leads the opening number Another Op’nin’, Another Show with most of the cast. Jamie Wright as General Harrison Howell sings well in his duet with McEvoy.
There are two standout numbers, Too Darn Hot where Mark Stefanoff (as Paul) leads the vocals and the dance, displaying his great voice and dance expertise. The other is Brush Up Your Shakespeare, performed by Michael Butler and Richard Greig as First Man and Second Man, they are hilarious!
The set functioned well, if not the prettiest, but it was a shame that the small stage created problems for the production, however it did not hamper the performance. Lighting, sound and costumes all did well with great support from the orchestra, leading to a great production. It is well worth a trip up the hill to Stirling, especially if you are a Cole Porter fan!
Reviewed by Fran Edwards
Photo credit: Daniel Salmond
Venue: Stirling Community Theatre
Season: Until May 13, 2023
Duration: 2.5 hours, including intermission
Tickets: C:$30, A$35, Groups of 8+:$27
Bookings: www.hillsmusical.org.au/kmk
Disclaimer: Hayley Horton and Daniel Hamilton are reviewers for Glam Adelaide. Ben Stefanoff is the Arts Editor for Glam Adelaide
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