Opera Queensland says “Kiss me quick” with Kiss Me, Kate!

Posted on October 14, 2016 in Australian Theatre, Culture, Theatre

If you’ve never been to the opera, but think you might like it, today’s news from Opera Queensland (OperaQ) could be just the ticket.

In line with their policy to make opera accessible to everyone, OperaQ are releasing 400 $25.00 tickets for two special semi-staged performances of the Cole Porter classic Kiss Me, Kate on Saturday, 12 November 2016.

A musical play within a play, Kiss Me, Kate is the story of a theatre troupe performing William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. The semi-staged concerts are OperaQ’s nod to the global celebrations this year marking 400 years since Shakespeare’s death.

OperaQ Artistic Director Lindy Hume urged anyone who had never seen a concert or a musical – or had never been in the Concert Hall before – to take this opportunity for an unforgettable gala-style experience with gorgeous gowns and lots of fun both onstage and across the Concert Hall [NB: why am I suddenly seeing visions of André Rieu?! Please no horse-drawn carriages in the Concert Hall].

“We’ve brought together a cast and creative team who are at the top of their game, and they’re all relishing their opportunity to perform in this classic musical,” Ms Hume said.

The forthcoming mini-revival stars real-life husband and wife Peter Coleman-Wright and Cheryl Barker as fiery combo Fred Graham and his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi.

Directed by Kris Stewart, the production also features a mix of opera and musical theatre stars including Naomi Price as showgirl Lois Lane [NB AGAIN: seriously…? Are there no other names for women characters in Hollywood?], Jason Barry-Smith, Bryan Probets, Kurt Phelan, Shaun Brown, Christopher Horsey, Bradley McCaw, Lizzie Moore and Robert Coleby. They’ll be joined onstage by twenty-three members of the Opera Queensland Chorus, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Guy Noble, as well as musical theatre students from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.

Rounding out the creative team are choreographer Christopher Horsey, costumer and set designer Josh McIntosh, and lighting designer Jason Glenwright.

OperaQ’s Kiss Me Kate will play the Concert Hall, QPAC, 12 November 2016. For more details, check QPAC’s website here.