THE sexiest comedy musical you will ever see, Kiss Me, Kate at The Watermill Theatre is an energetic, feel-good show presented by a cast of multi-talented actors.

Director Paul Hart’s take on the 1940s musical based on the book by Bella and Sam Spewack with music and lyrics by Cole Porter puts a feminist spin on the play-within-a-play storyline, presenting the women as strong and powerful characters, despite parts of the script suggesting otherwise.

The story follows a group of actors preparing to put on a totally ridiculous version of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

It focuses on the dynamics of the different relationships, in particular that of Rebecca Trehearn’s Lilli and her ex husband Fred, played by David Ricardo-Pearce.

The fiery Lilli struggles to control her feelings when she discovers Fred is interested in someone else, despite signalling his intent to rekindle their romance.

Her uncontrollable anger spills into her performance of The Taming of the Shrew, resulting in a comical fight between the pair as they attempt to adopt a ‘the show must go on’ attitude, with hilarious consequences.

Not one to be made a fool of, Lilli makes her feelings clear, and her rendition of I Hate Men was delivered with such venom and spite, no doubt many of the women in the audience had to supress an urge to punch their fists in the air and declare themselves celibate in solidarity.

The multi-talented cast effortlessly swapped between acting, singing, playing instruments and dancing in a high-energy performance, which had everyone laughing out loud at the hilarious one-liners and perfectly timed comical sound effects.

Choreographer, Oti Mabuse, had clearly put her stamp on the production, with a surprising amount of movement incorporated given the tiny stage.

Too Darn Hot is possibly the best opening song to a second act ever, oozing sexiness and sass with Otie’s signature choreography showcased spectacularly in a powerful and moving number which was used to highlight the issue of segregation.

A highlight was Kimmy Edward’s Always True to You in My Fashion.

Playing the flirtatious aspiring actress Lois, she strutted across the stage with sass and confidence, as she effortlessly belted out the high notes.

While Ricardo-Pearce’s version of Where is the Life that Late I Led made use of the intimacy of the theatre, leaving the audience raucous as he practically straddled an unsuspecting elderly woman whilst hanging from an upstairs banister.

Brush Up Your Shakespeare was one of the funniest, cleverest and bawdiest songs of the show, with the duo repeatedly returning to the stage much to the delight of the audience.

I Am Ashamed That Women Are So Simple was turned on its head, cleverly choreographed to show women as powerful and clever, thanks also to the superb talents of Trehearn.

The cast’s energy and enthusiasm was infectious, and it was impossible not to feel uplifted and alive as the show came to a close.

The feel-good, fierce and funny musical is on until September 21 at The Watermill, and is guaranteed to lift your spirits.