
The Taming of the Shrew
5 (1) · Shakespeare
The ultimate battle of the sexes is turned on its head in this ‘deftly provocative and exuberantly entertaining’ (The Times) production in which the 1590s are reimagined – with women in charge.
Recommended by
Overview
In this radical take on Shakespeare’s fierce and energetic comedy of gender, Baptista Minola is seeking to marry off her two sons, the sweet-tempered Bianco and the rebellious Katherine. Cue an explosive courtship and a keenly witty portrayal of hierarchy and control.
Taking inspiration from the novel The Power by Naomi Alderman, Justin Audibert directs a revelatory The Taming of the Shrew, set in a matriarchal world, with sumptuous Elizabethan costumes.
Critic reviews
Having seen numerous Shakespeare plays performed live, hearing the audience laugh constantly throughout both acts, was a new and wonderful experience
Those familiar with the play may find this production amusing, but those who are not familiar with it, may not be enlightened
The role-reversal conceit leaves you weary
Taming Of The Shrew For The Woke Generation
A gender-swap doesn’t fix the problems posed by Shakespeare’s play
This gender-swapped ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ only exacerbates the problems at the heart of Shakespeare’s wife-beating comedy
Different but still problematic
A vibrant, vital attempt to revisit this thorny text
Landmark production as women take charge
While it is indeed a joyful and refreshing evening, the play lacks a continually comedic atmosphere, and on some occasions the humour feels thin
Creatives
Cast
















