The dazzling, multi award-winning classic Broadway musical Kiss Me, Kate directed by Trevor Nunn also stars Alex Bourne, David Burt, Adam Garcia, Clive Rowe and Hannah Waddingham.
This exuberant show-within-a-show throws together gun-toting gangsters, sparring actors and romantic entanglements against a backdrop of a touring musical production of The Taming of the Shrew. With music and lyrics by Cole Porter the terrific score is shot through with wit, charm and energy with spectacular choreography by Stephen Mear (Crazy For You, Betty Blue Eyes, Hello Dolly and Mary Poppins).
[youtube http://youtu.be/fQubbpFG29s]
Reviews
Stephen Mear’s choreography bursts with wit and invention, especially during the spectacularly staged Too Darn Hot, which sees the impish hoofer Jason Pennycooke gliding across the stage while doing the splits
There are moments when you can see the revival this might have been: most notably after the interval, when Stephen Mear’s choreography and Jason Pennycooke’s snake-like hips suddenly scorch the stage, and make everyone else sizzle, too
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2012/nov/29/kiss-me-kate-review
The ensemble sing and dance their hearts out, hitting an unforgettable peak led by Jason Pennycooke in a ten minute long rendition of “Too Darn Hot”, during which choreographer Stephen Mear really earns his pay with the assistance of his team of energetic and hugely talented dancers.
http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/kiss-me-kate-old-vic-8301
, “Too Darn Hot,” which opens the second act, suggests the opposite of the lassitude overtaking the backstage effort; and it’s executed with dazzling ensemble brilliance in Stephen Mear’s choreography, led by the irrepressible Jason Pennycooke as Fred’s crackerjack dresser
