Full cast announced for 'Kiss Me, Kate' at the Barbican

The Cole Porter classic musical will play a limited 15-week run at London's Barbican Centre, and stars Adrian Dunbar and Stephanie J. Block as the leads.

The full cast has been revealed for Bartlett Sher's production of the Cole Porter classic musical comedy Kiss Me, Kate. The show opens at the Barbican in London on 4 June for a strictly limited 15-week run.

Joining the previously announced Adrian Dunbar (Line of Duty) as Fred Graham/Petruchio and Stephanie J Block (Into the Woods, Wicked, Sunset Boulevard) as Lilli Vanessi/Katharine, will be 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.

They will star alongside Charlie Stemp (Crazy For You, Mary Poppins), as Bill Calhoun, Georgina Onuorah (The Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma!) as Lois Lane/Bianca, Hammed Animashaun (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Black Ops) and Nigel Lindsay (Victoria, Shrek The Musical) as the gangsters, and Peter Davison (Dr Who, All Creatures Great and Small) as the General.

The full ensemble includes Alisha Capon, Shani Cator, 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.

Producer Howard Panter said: “I am thrilled we have brought together an exceptional ensemble of actors to complete the stellar cast for this summer’s hottest musical. With some of the finest talent from the West End, they will undoubtedly bring immense joy to Barbican audiences. Plus a full-scale orchestra performing Cole Porter’s sensational classics and incredible choreography, Kiss Me, Kate promises to be an absolute treat!”

The creative team includes choreographer Anthony Van Laast, costume designer Catherine Zuber, and set designer Michael Yeargan, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and the original book by Bella and Samuel Spewack.

Kiss Me, Kate is a show within a show, and takes the audience into a world of backstage chaos and romantic entanglements as a theatre company attempt to put on a production of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.

Book Kiss Me, Kate tickets on London Theatre.