COLE Porter's comic musical tribute to William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew was played with great gusto by a strong cast at last night's opening performance.

A packed Adlington Community Centre audience revelled in the songs and the mixture of gentle and direct comedy.

And Jean Kellie put so much into her portrayal of the fearsome and feisty Lilli Vanessi that you could almost believe the Adlington company's leading man and lady were themselves embroiled in a real-life simmering row, just like their characters in the play. (I certainly wouldn't have liked to have been on the receiving end of some of the blows that Fred Graham - played by Brian Lawson - had to take on the chin!)

My own personal favourite from the night's repertoire of songs was Brush Up Your Shakespeare, milked for all its comic worth by 'gangsters' Philip May and Chris Higson. In fact the duo struck up a great partnership during their various cameo appearances which often cheekily yet charmingly stole scenes.

A musical production like Kiss Me Kate relies on a strong supporting chorus, which a company as well established as the Adlington society certainly has.

Gillian Pilkington must have had her work cut out both choreographing all the dancing and taking a major acting role as Lois Lane.

At the risk of this review sounding like a list of credits, the wardrobe and props teams also did a very professional job, as did the assembled orchestra under the guidance of musical director Ron White.

I'm not a huge fan of musicals, but this production of Kiss Me Kate is a very enjoyable evening's entertainment.

MARK LONGBOTTOM

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