Running at London’s Barbican Theatre from 4th June until 14th September, Kiss Me, Kate is making a long-awaited return to London, with direction by Bartlett Sher.

Adrian Dunbar, who will play Fred Graham / Petruchio is best-known for playing Superintendent Ted Hasting in the BBC’s Line of Duty, while theatregoers will know Peter Davison, who plays the General, as the fifth doctor in Doctor Who and as Tristan Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small.

Peter Davison said: “I’m so excited to be working with the inestimable Bartlett Sher in his new production of Kiss Me, Kate, alongside the rest of this brilliant cast. A summer to look forward to. When do we start?”

Producer Howard Panter said: “Peter is a seasoned actor of unparalleled talent who will undoubtedly bring command and charm to the role of the General. He is yet another fabulous addition to a wonderful company of exceptional actors who will be dazzling audiences at the Barbican in London’s must-see show of the summer – an unforgettable theatrical treat for the whole family not to missed.”

Stephanie J. Block, who stars as Lilli Vanessi / Katherine, has appeared in numerous Broadway productions and also in Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black.

The trio are joined by Georgina Onuorah (Wizard of Oz / Oklahoma!), Charlie Stemp (Crazy For You / Mary Poppins), Hammed Animashaun (Black Ops) and Nigel Lindsay (Victoria / Shrek The Musical).

Watch a sneak peek…

The production is describes as a sophisticated, ferociously funny, show within a show – which whisks you into a world of backstage chaos and romantic entanglements as a theatre company attempt to put on a production of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

The battle of the sexes takes centre stage as former spouses feud, only to find the off-stage antics rival the drama on-stage. There are also cases of mistaken identity, confused love, gangsters and a spectacular tap routine thrown in for good measure.