The Taming of the Shrew

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What to expect

Love and wit conquer all in Shakespeare's sparkling comedy of self-delusion and disguise.

Padua holds many suitors for the hand of fair Bianca, but Bianca may not be married until her spinster sister, Kate, is wed. Could any man be rash enough to take on Kate?

The witty adventurer Petruchio undertakes the task. While he sets about transforming Kate from foul-tempered termagant to loving wife, young Lucentio and his clever servant, Tranio, plot to win Bianca.

Frances Barber and Roger Allam are Kate and Petruchio. Lucentio is played by Alan Cox.

Critics Review

“One of Shakespeare’s most enduringly popular and problematic comedies.”

San Francisco Chronicle

“The thorniest play in the canon, with the possible exception of The Merchant of Venice.

The Telegraph (London)

“A lusty, witty, well-crafted comedy, The Taming of the Shrew abounds in vigorous, often ribald wordplay.”

Masterpieces of World Literature

“An early comedy whose particular strength is the vigorous control of its central relationship. Modern audiences must accept that Katharina is not the loser by her taming, though arguments about the possible ironies of her dutiful final speech will continue.”

The Cambridge Guide to Literature in English

“[Shakespeare is] challenging an audience’s expectations of how a woman is supposed nto behave. What if, as a human being, she doesn’t want to roll over, as nwas expected in Shakespeare’s day? I actually think he’s championing then woman's rights.”

n
Edward Hall, English theater director

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