The Taming of the Shrew
- Author William Shakespeare
- Narrator Frances Barber, Roger Allam, a full cast
- Publisher Arkangel
- Publish Date 15 August 2005
- Run Time 2 hours and 17 minutes
- Format Audio
- Genre Classic and pre-20th century plays.
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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.”
“The thorniest play in the canon, with the possible exception of The Merchant of Venice.”
“A lusty, witty, well-crafted comedy, The Taming of the Shrew abounds in vigorous, often ribald wordplay.”
“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.”
“[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.”
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