Taming of the Shrew – Royal Shakespeare Company –

The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK from 24 April - 25 September

2008

Director Conall Morrison has created a modern take on a classic play. In the first
few minutes of the performance you are assaulted with a cacophony of energy,
noise and movement that leaves you wanting more. The mood and style,
however, take a gentler shift when the piece progresses to the ‘play within the
play.’

This show is not for the faint hearted. The more prudish among us will have a lot
to mutter about with plenty of bawdy, sex-fuelled moments especially between
Lucentio (Patrick Moy) and Bianca (Amara Karan).

Stand out performances are William Beck’s tragic Grumio and Stephen Boxer’s
explosively misogynistic portrayal of Petruchio.

Francis O’Connor’s set design greatly compliments Morrison’s vision. The

contrast between the seedy world of the play and the almost storybook
quaintness of the meta-theatrical inner world seems to highlight the sentiments
of the director with regards to the underlying theme.

Morrison’s less conventional approach culminates in the final scenes of the play.
Whilst some theatergoers will relish the cleverness, this fresh interpretation may
very well disappoint the more traditional fan of the story.

Samantha Healy.