Local theatrical group Mill Hill Amateur Operatic Society (MHAOS) has unveiled the cast for its autumn staging of Cole Porter’s smash-hit musical Kiss Me Kate.

Clare Shah and Robert Barker, who starred in Guys & Dolls for the society in 2011, have been cast in the lead roles of Lilli Vanessi and Fred Graham (played by Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel in the Hollywood film). Kiss Me Kate will also star Janice Edgar and Sean Lilley, who will play second leads, Lois Lane and Bill Calhoun.

There will be five performances at a brand new venue for the Society – Copthall School in Pursley Road, Mill Hill – as its home theatre in Hartley Hall, Flower Lane, is currently being redeveloped.

"It’s really excellent news that Robert, Clare, Sean and Janice have won the star roles in this wonderfully entertaining show featuring some of Cole Porter’s most memorable tunes," says MHAOS chairman Christine Hubbard.

"We are all looking forward to putting on Kiss Me Kate for the first time in our 58-year history and also to be performing at Copthall School, which with its good facilities will enable us put on a fantastic show for the audience."

Kiss Me Kate, which was first performed on Broadway in 1948, details the comic and romantic complications plaguing a troupe of actors staging Shakespeare’s The Taming Of The Shrew in New York. It includes witty Cole Porter tunes such as So In Love, Too Darn Hot, Brush Up Your Shakespeare and I Hate Men, which adds up to an entertaining and melodious musical experience.

The show is directed and choreographed by Jackie Mitchell, who also directed The Gondoliers for MHAOS in 2011.

  • Kiss Me Kate is at Copthall School, Pursley Road, Mill Hill from Wednesday, October 31 to Saturday, November 3 at 7.30pm, with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday 3. Details: 01923 269923/020 8959 2028, www.mhaos.com