'Thine arms so warm, so tender, were thine the kiss divine, were thine the love for me,' he throbs away in his pungent tenor, striding across the stage of London 's Barbican Theatre.
Holy mother of God, rub your eyes fella, it is really happening. By some magical twist of theatrical fate, Superintendent Ted Hastings is standing before us in doublet and britches, hand on heart, singing a love song.
And this is no token guest appearance. In Kiss Me, Kate the former gaffer of AC-12 is sucking diesel on four big solo numbers and a couple of duets, plus an ensemble here and there. The Enniskillen-born actor plays the lead; the central double role of Fred Graham/Petruchio in this play within a play. The conceit is that Fred's touring theatrical company are putting on a production of Shakespeare's The Taming Of The Shrew.
Here he is more focused on catching a break between the quick costume changes — from silk dressing gown to knickerbockers and back again. Then it's straight into another song. 'So kiss me, Kate, darling devil divine. For now thou shalt ever be mine,' he bellows at the end of the first act, absolutely daring his wife not to obey him to the letter of the law sir, the letter.
And that's before we get started on the more mature male characters who have an unhealthy interest in the younger showgirls. 'Too young? Just not old enough,' as one old goat surmises in a scene.
Debate Adrian Dunbar London Line Of Duty
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Village postie who once stopped a burglary is retiring after nearly 40 yearsMary Dainton is known in the village of East Markham simply as 'Mary the Post'
Read more »
Metrolink line suspended with trams stopped due to 'issue' at Old TraffordNo trams are running on the line following an 'overhead line issue'
Read more »
This skin balm is my holy grail 'unsexy essential' for smoother skinThe key to your softest, smoothest skin...
Read more »
This skin balm is my holy grail 'unsexy essential' for smoother skinThe key to your softest, smoothest skin...
Read more »
Mum claims autistic son called a 'distraction' at Holy Communion'It was a gut-wrenching feeling. The pain felt like a kick to my heart'
Read more »
Colombia begins exploring 'holy grail of shipwrecks'Exploration of a 300-year-old wreck in the Caribbean Sea with an estimate £16bn trove starts.
Read more »