Kiss Me Kate

Cast & Creative

Cast List

Character	Actor
Fred Graham	Bryan Cardus
Lilli Vanessi	Mandy Stenhouse
Lois Lane	Maggie Dawson
Bill Calhoun	Andrew MacBean
Harry Trevor	Iain Calder
Hortensio	Richard Fyfe
Gremio	Peter Henson
Gangster	Steve Alais
Ganster	Ben Karp
Harrison Howell	John Boult
Paul	Jim Trimmer
Ralph	Will Brooks
Hattie	Helen Jenkins
Betty	Lizzie Ross
Pop	Richard Matthaie
Ensemble	Kim Aaron
Ensemble	Meirion Anderson
Ensemble	Ray Ash
Ensemble	Sandra Brenner
Ensemble	Sue Buxton
Ensemble	Sally Cresswell
Ensemble	Jan Croxson
Ensemble	Jeffrey Darlington
Ensemble	Helen Donald
Ensemble	Merian Ganjou
Ensemble	Katy Hart
Ensemble	Ellen Harvey-Smart
Ensemble	Wendy Howard
Ensemble	Robert Marson
Ensemble	Marion McLaren
Ensemble	Angela Males
Ensemble	Bernard Messenger
Ensemble	Tara O'Sullivan
Ensemble	Guy Pearson
Ensemble	Sarah Storer
Ensemble	Suzy Rafferty
Ensemble	Janet Simpson
Ensemble	Suzy Rafferty
Ensemble	Angela Sturgeon
Ensemble	Chris Thackray
Ensemble	Barbara Thomas
Ensemble	Denis Worth

Creative Team

Role	Name
Director	Meg Murnane
Musical Director	Carl Smith
Choroegrapher	Mandy Demetriou
Costume Designer	Suzy Rafferty
Set Designer	Wyn Humphries
Lighting	Bob Bustance
Production Manager	Margaret Collier
Stage Manager	Andy Woodger
Deputy Stage Manager	Alan Gravestock
Lighting Coordinator	Ed Pagett
Dance Captain	Angela Sturgeon
Make Up and Wigs	Jacqui Shreeve
Props	Beryl Yorath
Props Supervision	David Simpson
Assisted by	Marion Alais
Set Construction	David & Sarah Holland
Sound Installation	R G Jones
Prompt	Lynne Tomkins
Rehearsal Accompanist	Carole Baker
Rehearsal Photogrpher	Jeffrey Darlington
BROS Ticket Sales	Ellen Harvey-Smart
Publicity Liaison	Sarah Storer

Reviews & Awards

This production of BROS at Poleden Lacey was professional in every way, from the music of your orchestra directed by Carl Smith, dazzling choreography by Mandy Demetriou, costume design by Suzy Raftery, all put together by Director Meg Murnane. Outstanding is the word that describes all the elements of this production, and what a marvellous credit the Society is to the amateur stage.

You had a cast of Stars and that includes all members of the chorus, choreography was of the highest standard and on this occasion the gentlemen outshone the ladies, the rehearsal mode was tremendous, whilst when they became strolling players we had a complete contrast in style and mannerisms.

Bryan Cardus gave a positive Fred Graham with fine renditions of his songs, we had an excellent lib in the Petruchio role and he played both characters with considerable skill.

We had a very sharp character from Maggie Dawson as Lois Lane, it was a pleasure to watch her work, the quality of her singing and acting was superb.

The Kate of Mandy Stenhouse was excellent, fine diction, and singing and suitable annoyance with Fred, I felt more could have been made of the fight scene, and more venom was required from both players, I understand it was the Saturday matinee on a very hot day and this may explain the gentle approach.

Andrew MacBean played the part of Bill Calhoun with panache, a nice controlled performance with a personality that balanced well with the other members of the cast.

The casting of Steve Alais as Angel and Ben Karp as Moose was ideal, and this duo made an excellent job of the gangsters, their humour floated across the footlights, and they gave us two individual characters, they made a hit with the Brush up Your Shakespeare number and overall provided excellent entertainment.

Paul as played by Jim Trimmer and Hattie played by Helen Jenkins gave us nice tidy portrayals of the dressers, this was acting at it’s best, very natural movements, the flick of the head, the sharp turn of the heel, and reaction to the leads every whim.

Richard Matthiae made a good job of the Pop Bagell part, strict attention to detail as the stage doorman which he held throughout the show.

John Boult gave us a satisfactory Harrison Howell getting the maximum humour from the part.

Iain Calder gave great support to all the principals as Harry Trevor this was an excellent effort and fitted in well in the overall production, an important part well played.

Peter Henson gave us an almost panto warden winchester, he demanded attention whenever he appeared on stage, and was most supportive to the rest of the cast.

Richard Fyfe made a first class contribution to the production as Hortensio, we did enjoy the Tom, Dick, and Harry number.

Betty Binster (a new character to me) as played by Elizabeth Ross gave the opening that sparkle that makes an audience sit up and take notice, we did.

We have all met Will Brooks on many theatre stages and his Ralph character was rounded to perfection. Well done.

Your superb set was very well handled by a competent crew, your sound was fine, in fact the whole set up was excellent.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this production. Rose and I thank you for your invitation, and look forward to your next show.

John Applin

NODA