Many Londoners felt that the show did not get as long a run as it deserved. And, with the success of Porter’s Anything Goes at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, new Porter converts will want to catch the equally well reviewed Kate. The Blakemore production bagged Best Musical awards from the Evening Standard and the Critics’ Circle, but still closed Aug. 24 2002, just under ten months after opening. The DVD performance was recorded in August 2002 at London’s Victoria Palace, and stars the American quartet of Brent Barrett, Rachel York (who had taken over the role from Marin Mazzie), Nancy Anderson and Michael Berresse. The film producer is Chris Hunt, who previously TV-directed Trevor Nunn’s National Theatre production of Oklahoma!.

The main casting and crew for Kiss Me Kate are:

Frederick C.Graham – Brent Barrett
Lilli Vanessi – Rachel York
Lois Lane – Nancy Anderson
Bill Calhoun –Michael Berresse
Harrison Howell – Nicolas Colicos
Hattie – Kaye E.Brown
Paul – Nolan Frederick
Harry Trevor – Colin Farrell
Set design – Robin Wagner
Costume design – Martin Pakledinaz
Lighting – Peter Kaczorowski
Choreography – Kathleen Marshall