Kiss Me, Kate DVD Starring Barret, York, Berresse and Anderson.

It's not the London version. The London version starred Marin Mazzie. What was taped I believe was the touring cast.

The title of the show is actually "Kiss Me, Kate." That bugs me.

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you seem to get annoyed very easily, i will edit it.

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Jazzy, did Marin star in the Broadway production as well?
and how come the touring cast is on the DVD?

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Updated On: 5/14/06 at 02:32 AM

Yes, what was videotaped for PBS was the London production of the revival. York had done the national tour, but I believe she had done it opposite Rex Smith. And Beresse was not in the tour. Mazzie was not in the London production.

As to why it was there were American leads in London, I guess that's what the producers wanted. In this case they were able to get their way, probably thanks to the exchange program.

As for the production, I thought it was execrable on Broadway and judging from the video it was just as execrable in London, if not more so.

You might want to try to see the 1958 TV production with Alfred Drake and Patricia Morrison, which can be viewed at the Museum of Television and Radio. Unfortunately, the total running time is only about 80 minutes, after commercials and credits. But it at least gives you a hint of what someone like Drake could bring to a show. I don't think anyone around today could come close. If someone could, I don't know who it is.

The old MGM film has its moments, mostly thanks to Ann Miller, Keenan Wynn, James Whitmore, and the great "From This Moment On" number. But otherwise it's not so good.

tnks for the info nobodyhome!

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Yes, this was the London production.

It was recorded for broadcast and home video after Marin had already left the cast and Rachel had replaced her.

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I'll just add my tuppence too and say yes we did have American leads for this show. It was part of the marketing and attraction of the show.

Marin Mazzie, Carolee Carmello and Rachel York for Kate. However just before it closed early they were about to start a British Kate. Sadly the show suffered from post 9/11 down turn and the ****ing farmers foot and mouth debacle.

Nancy Anderson made a great Lois with Berressee stunning us all with the acrobatics. Oh and Brent Barrett wiped the floor with Stokes-Mitchell. As much as I love him he should stick to dramatic roles!

So definitely filmed in the Victoria Palace (current home of Billy Elliot) and featuring a British ensemble. It was filmed in London for the same reasons that Stritch was filmed here. We dont have such powerful Unions that would rather cut off their own arm than see shows preserved and be happy with a little extra cash.

I was able to catch both the Broadway run and the London run. Barrett held his own compared to the Stokes. Great performances from both. I had Carmello. Liked her, but LOVED Mazzie... Beresse's acrobatics astonished both times. Spanger was a better Bianca, than Anderson, I thought.

Did Spanger do the show in London or just in Broadway? What did you like better about Amy? I think both Amy and Nancy are amazing, but Nancy is not singing with her real voice, so i'd understand if she wasn't as good as Amy. I like Amy's "Always true to you" better than Nancy's.

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i have the dvd and i love it! the cast is very talented. when i saw the tour in D.C., they had Rachel York, but i think that was the only one of the video i saw.

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"We dont have such powerful Unions that would rather cut off their own arm than see shows preserved and be happy with a little extra cash."



yes the actors generally get paid s**t to do theatre there. I'd rather have a union who's gonna fight for my rights than to be cheated. Also I'm not entirely sure that's the reason why it was filmed in London.