Haslemere Players existed as long ago as the 1890s but was officially formed in 1905, making it the longest-running musical theatre society in the local area. Until 1961, they performed only Gilbert and Sullivan. Since then, the range of shows produced has broadened to include a huge variety of productions from the more traditional My Fair Lady and Oklahoma! to more modern pieces such as their recent well-received ghoul-fest, The Addams Family.

 

“To be or not to be....in love? That is the question Haslemere Players now ask in their sizzling Spring production of this epic musical comedy, Kiss Me Kate, from the legendary composer and songwriter Cole Porter.

Tickets are available via Haslemere Hall: https://www.haslemerehall.co.uk/sales/genres/theatre/kiss-me-kate-1

 

With the show opening on the 25th March, this is what some of the cast and crew had to say about this classic toe-tapping show.

This is Sally Waghorn’s directorial debut with Haslemere Players and she told us: 

“I’m a self-confessed Shakespeare nut and, as a member of the Farnham Shakespeare Company I have been lucky enough to play 8 of Shakespeare’s best female roles including Katherine in Taming of the Shrew so, Kiss me Kate could not be a better choice for me.

 

The music is wonderful, the dancing is fabulous, the costumes and set are glorious, and the cast are simply amazing. With all the bad news in the media, this is the perfect tonic. An evening to sit back, laugh and go home singing.”

 

Kiss Me Kate's story revolves around a theatre company touring with a musical version of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Intertwining, farcical plots bring hilarious consequences: Lilli Vanessi and Fred Graham, ex-husband and wife whose constant bickering mirrors their Shakespearian characters of Katherine and Petruchio, especially when a misunderstanding results in an argument played out live on stage. And Lois Lane, the actress playing Bianca (who Fred's taken a shine to!) and her gambler boyfriend Bill, who plays Lucentio and gets himself into trouble and debt in real life, falling foul of a pair of gangsters.

 

Dawn Stephens is taking on the role of Lilli:

“Kiss Me, Kate is the first legit soprano role I have undertaken, and it has been both a challenge and pleasure to work on bringing the characters of Lili to life during the rehearsal period. I have been dancing and performing since a young age but first got involved with the Haslemere Players after moving to Midhurst during the pandemic”

 

Lilli’s love interest is Fred, played by Peter Coxon: 

“This show is special because I’ve always loved Cole Porter music, getting to play Fred is as good as it gets for a performer involving acting, singing, comedy, drama and Shakespeare all in one show. It’s as challenging as it gets, a dream come true for me”

 

You can see the show at Haslemere Hall from the 25th to the 29th March.