Even to the reviewer who only occasionally covers musical theatre, it's clear there's a huge pool of talent in this genre in and around Nottingham. Director Linda Croston takes advantage of this happy truth to field a big cast of wonderful performers. The result is a first-rate show. Space and economic constraints mean that there's nothing lavish about the evening. But the greatness of Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate is never allowed to be in doubt.

It might even be a welcome change to deploy, in place of a full orchestra, a pair of pianists – Piotr Wisniewski and James Tate are remarkable. Costumes, both for the inner play, an adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew opening in Baltimore, and the outer play, about romantic ups, downs and rivalries among the cast, and a major gambling embarrassment, are outstanding.

Stand-out presence of the evening is undoubtedly Tony O'Rourke as Fred/Petruchio. O'Rourke is on book for most of the time because he's stepped in for the sadly indisposed Giles Pettit for part of the week. It matters not a jot; his rich tenor/baritone voice is handled with confidence, and he acts well.

O'Rourke's solos, notably Where is the Life That Late I Led? are super; so are the duets he does with Lilli/Kate (an excellent Jacky Dunn) – Wunderbar is splendid. Kimberley Brook is wonderfully screechy and shrill as Lois Lane/Bianca and turns in some terrific tap as well as song. In fact, it's a pleasingly leggy show, especially with It's Too Darn Hot.

In a non-singing part Chris Ireson offers a stinging parody of General "I will return" McArthur; and some of the best and funniest lines of the production. Roger Newman and Max Bromley are two outer-play Chicago-style heavies. Complete with flashy ties and shades, they manage to get tangled up in the inner play, threatening to take the show over, especially with Brush Up Your Shakespeare.

It was an inspired idea to complement the Youth Theatre's The Taming of the Shrew earlier in the year. Yet again the Lace Market Theatre finishes an outstanding season on an emphatic high.