KISS ME, KATE
Bristol Old Vic
musical director Neil Rhoden :
directed by John David
My principle memories of this production are of Isla Blair, who radiated great warmth both on and off stage. Everyone loved her. Also in the cast was Charles Augins, a brilliant dancer, whose rendition of Too Darn Hot was one of the production’s high spots. I had a small role as the stage manager of the theatre company, as well as taking part in the chorus numbers, which I enjoyed even though the choreographer, who was also playing the male juvenile lead, was far from encouraging about my dancing! I guess with so many good dancers in the show, it must have rankled to have me galumphing about.
One of the good dancers, and also a splendid actor, was Tom Fahy, with whom I struck up an enduring friendship.
The male lead in Kiss Me, Kate was David Kernan, with whom I was thrilled to be working. I’d seen him on TV in That Was The Week That Was, on screen in Zulu, and in the West End productions of A Little Night Music and Side by Side by Sondheim. .At this time, being obsessed with musicals, I thought that if I played David some of my songs…what? Did I think he’d be so bowled over by them he’d immediately commend me to some famous and influential friends who’d invite me to contribute the score to tomorrow’s equivalent of West Side Story? Probably. One day, between a matinée and evening performance, I serenaded the poor man with what I considered to be choice items from my portfolio. He listened politely and spoke encouragingly, but he didn’t enthuse. Perhaps the end of my love-affair with musicals began that afternoon.
cast: Charles Augins, Isla Blair, Roger Bizley, John Boswall, Roger Booth, Veronica Clifford, Ray C. Davis, Tom Fahy, Don Gallagher, Gillian Geddes, David Kernan, Vincent Osborne, Kenneth Price, Phil Rose, Rowan Suart, Cindy Wells, Gary Yershon
