Adrian Dunbar To Make West End Musical Debut

Adrian Dunbar will make his debut in the West End return of musical Kiss Me, Kate.

The show which is a re-imagining of Cole Porter's hit musical about warring lovers, will see Dunbar star alongside Tony award winning actress Stephanie J Block. 

Directed by Tony award winning director Bartlett Sher, Kiss Me Kate will see Adrian Dunbar star as Fred Graham in a play which follows “backstage chaos and romantic entanglements”, as a theatre company attempts to put together a production of Shakspearean play The Taming Of The Shrew. 

It will premiere at the Barbican Theatre from June 4 until September 14. 

“I’m so delighted to be returning to the stage this summer to my spiritual home at the Barbican – where I started my career at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama – especially in this Cole Porter classic with the wonderful creative team including Bart Sher and Stephanie J Block", Dunbar said. 

"scary, and challenging, and thrilling"

Set in Baltimore in the 1940s, Kiss Me Kate  explores the fractious relationship between Dunbar's character actor-manager Fred Graham, and leading lady & ex wife Lilli Vanessa played by Stephanie Block. 

Referring to the show's opening line, Stephanie Block said that the Kiss Me Kate “will most definitely not be just Another Op’nin, Another Show”. 

“Look, when asked to bring a Cole Porter classic to the Barbican stage under the care and vision of Bart Sher, one must say yes", she said. “There are so many firsts to this opportunity, and at this stage of my career, firsts are not the norm". 

“How wonderfully scary and challenging and thrilling. I cannot wait to dive into this timeless classic and put a fresh stamp on it alongside the incredible Adrian Dunbar". 

The music and lyrics will be created by Cole Porter, and based om the original book from Bella and Samuel Spenwack. 

“I’m delighted to be working with Adrian, Stephanie and Bart to bring this classic, hilarious golden-age musical comedy to the Barbican next summer", producer Sir Howard Panter said. “Cole Porter’s timeless masterpiece has everything you want: it’s fun, infectious and pure entertainment. This, like Anything Goes, will be the perfect summer treat for London audiences next year". 

Kiss Me Kate will be returning to the West End, for the first time since its appearance at the London Coliseum in June 2018.  The show had previously premiered in 1948, winning a Tony Award for Best Musical a year later, before winning best revival of a musical in 2000. 

Tickets will go on sale from KisMeKateMusical.com on Friday 19 January from 10am.