Kiss Me, Kate, Studley Operatic Society, Palace Theatre, Redditch

Apr 24 2008 By John Slim

THIS is a satisfying production that does not actually pull up any trees. There's not a lot of sparkle, despite the ceaseless warfare between Fred Graham, played by Keith Parish, and the fiery Lilli Vanessi (Mandy Goddard).

There's no problem about hearing him, but he is more reliable on power than he sometimes is on the actual notes. Nevertheless, their Wunderbar duet comes across well. She is the spitfire that her part demands, but when she throws things at people or chases them with a broom she does not convince us that she has any intent to do them harm.

Megan Worrall's Lois is endearingly daffy - but I have never heard such a prolonged and challenging version of Always True To You as the one she delivers.

Barrie Cole and Bob Taylor are the always-engaging gangsters who proffer a pleasing account of Brush Up Your Shakespeare.

James Suckling's production has a good chorus and attractive dancers and is beautifully dressed - and earned full marks on the first night when things were accidentally dropped, which happened several times. People did not step over them, they either picked them up or kicked them into the wings. It is a habit many groups could learn.

The show runs until Saturday.