The Taming of the Shrew is not the easiest of Shakespeare’s plays to stage so that it appeals to modern day theatre goers. It has horrid chauvinistic undertones that turn into something a lot less subtle towards the end; this obviously makes it less appealing to the audiences of today and as such it is not attempted very often.
Lucy Bailey, as a director, is known for her concepts and this production of The Shrew is no different, with the stage being transformed into an enormous bed, allowing the actors to roll, bounce and disappear and lending the production a sense of fun which wonderfully distracts from the plays central themes and brings the humour to the fore. Set in Italy, a sweltering Italian backdrop is created with clever lighting and John Eacott’s fabulous musical accompaniment. Men lounge on steps (situated behind a three storey bed head), smoke, and drink and watch the play go by with typical Mediterranean patience. But there is also a frantic pace running beneath the action and some wonderful physical passages, particularly when the pub crowd morph into dogs biting at the journeyman Christopher Sly.
Sly (Nick Holder) stays on stage throughout watching his play, often embroiled in its action in a desperate quest to clarify his own reality. He is witness to the events, but in some clever interlude moments where he, along with others involved in his story disappear between the sheets, culminating in some brilliant comic moments, we begin to see parallels between his journey and that of Kate. Often the moments go too far or linger just a little too long, but they are always funny and a nice distraction.
Lisa Dillon, who I recently encountered during the brilliant ITV drama The Jury II, portrayed Kate wonderfully; her stage presence was strong and at times she was phenominally scary. The differences between her outlandish Katharina and David Caves’ controlled and sometimes sinister Petruchio led to some wonderful moments and a perfect tension. Simon Gregor was outstanding as Grumio, with strong physical choices and a wonderful sense of comic timing. Bailey directed her actors to use the stage to its fullest, and the scene where Gremio (David Rintoul) and Hortensio (Sam Swainsbury) realise that Lucentio (Gavin Fowler) has won the heart of Bianca (Elizabeth Cadwallader) was a particular highlight. The play has a great cast and their chemistry plays out well on stage.
For those who haven’t seen or read the play I won’t give any plot spoilers, but I will say that the ending is played for great truth. Dillon invests in the final speech and finds a very moving delivery which does not demonstrate that her Kate has been tamed, but perhaps that she has succumbed to her reality. This is a fabulous production of one of Shakespeare’s problem plays, and a brave, bold and boisterous night at the theatre.
The Taming of the Shrew is at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre until the 18th February
Tour dates:
Newcastle Theatre Royal
23 Feb – 3 March 2012
Milton Keynes Theatre
6 – 10 March 2012
Theatre Royal Nottingham
13 – 17 March
Richmond Theatre
20 – 24 March 2012
Bath Theatre Royal
27 – 31 March 2012