Apart from opening night, there is never a more vulnerable time in a performer’s process than during the slog of rehearsals, and that’s exactly when I decided it was a good idea to visit the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts’ (NASDA) preparing for their latest production, Kiss Me, Kate.

It was a theatre space full of energy and talent as NASDA’s third‑year students rehearsed for their upcoming showpiece, with ensemble support from second‑year students, at Ara’s Christchurch campus.

Cole Porter’s classic musical comedy, Kiss Me, Kate, follows the backstage chaos of a theatre troupe staging Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Romance, rivalry and razor‑sharp wit abound as the show-within-a-show couples – Fred Graham/Petruchio and his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi/Kate – rekindle their tempestuous relationship.

Expect heart, humour and sizzling jazz classics like Brush Up Your Shakespeare, Too Darn Hot, Tom, Dick or Harry, and Always True To You (In My Fashion).

And it’s good.

NASDA’s Head of Programme Simon Goudie said, “It’s about letting people know that the work that’s going on here is equally as good as anywhere else. It’s about the education at the end of the day.”

“It’s about engaging our community to want to be seeing what we’re putting on. ‘Cause if we can sell our tickets, then we’ll easily be able to build a track record and the institution will know that we can actually make this work because the reality is that no arts funding in this country is getting what it needs. You’ve got to be able to generate your own income,” Goudie said.

“But we can’t do that if we’re not engaged with our community. That’s our mission at the moment. To let Christchurch remember that it has a pretty good jewel in its crown [with NASDA] and that the work that the students do is equally as good as anywhere else.”

This staging is a culmination of NASDA’s third‑year training where students immerse themselves in research, rehearsal and performance just as professionals do.

Co‑directed and choreographed by internationally renowned duo Bob Richard and Diane Laurenson, with musical direction by Mark  Dorrell, the production showcases a full band and ensemble, plus strong contributions from second‑year students, and backstage support from some first-year’s, ensuring a rich, layered performance.

NASDA’s bold and polished take on Kiss Me, Kate promises to be one of Christchurch’s must-see local productions this winter. With comedy, romance, and show-stopping songs all wrapped in dazzling ensemble work, this is theatre at its most joyful.

Kiss Me, Kate runs from 20 June – 28 June, Papa Hou, Christchurch.

[Next week, Chris Lynch Media will be profiling Bob Richard and Diane Laurenson for Creative Christchurch.]