Kiss Me, Kate, starring Stephanie J Block and Adrian Dunbar – watch a performance of “Too Darn Hot”

Watch the cast of the current revival of Kiss Me, Kate perform the much-loved Cole Porter number, “Too Darn Hot”.

The production, led by Stephanie J Block and Adrian Dunbar, is currently in previews at London’s Barbican Theatre, ahead of a press night tomorrow, 18 June, and a limited run until 14 September 2024.

Dunbar, who became a fan favourite following his work in Line of Duty, is making his musical theatre debut as Fred Graham/Petruchio, while Tony Award winner Block, known for her appearances in Into the Woods, The Cher Show and 9 to 5, is making her West End debut as Lilli Vanessi/Katharine.

The cast also includes Charlie Stemp (Crazy for You) as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio, Georgina Onuorah (The Wizard of Oz) as Lois Lane/Bianca, WhatsOnStage Award winners Nigel Lindsay (An Enemy of the People) and Hammed Animashaun (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) as the famous gangster pairing in the show, and Peter Davison (Dr Who) as the General, alongside Josie Benson (as Hattie), Jack Butterworth (as Paul), Jude Owusu (as Harry Trevor/Baptista), Carl Au (as Hortensio/Ensemble), Jordan Crouch (as Gremio/Ensemble), Gary Milner (as Ralph/Ensemble) and James Hume (as Pops/Ensemble).

Completing the company are Alisha Capon, Shani Cantor, Maya de Faria, Amelia Kinu Muus, Jacqui Jameson, Lucas Koch, Alex Lodge, Nell Martin, Anna McGarahan, John Stacey and Harrison Wilde. Swings are Robin Kent, Barry Drummond, Emily Goodenough and Maddie Harper.

Directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher, the musical showcases a score by Porter and a book by Sam and Bella Spewack. Notably, this revival reunites producing team members behind successful shows such as Anything Goes and A Strange Loop, both at the Barbican.

The creative team also includes Anthony Van Laast as choreographer, Michael Yeargan as set designer, Catherine Zuber as costume designer, Donald Holder as lighting designer, Adam Fisher as sound designer, and Stephen Ridley as music supervisor. Casting is by Serena Hill.

Hailed as Porter’s greatest musical comedy, Kiss Me, Kate follows the onstage and off-stage antics of a theatre company attempting to produce a musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. It includes numbers such as “Another Op’nin’, Another Show”, “Too Darn Hot”, “Tom, Dick or Harry” and “Brush Up Your Shakespeare”.

Tickets are on sale below.