Reader Reviews
The Taming of the Shrew (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Apart from The Merchant of Venice, The Taming of the Shrew is probably Shakespeare's most maligned play, the misogyny and mental cruelty sitting very uncomfortably for a modern audience. Lucy Bailey responds with a hugely physical and bawdy production which went down a storm with the school parties and Richmond's notoriously somnolent patrons. Lisa Dillon's Kate is a hard drinking and smoking, violent tattoeed (her own I think) delinquent, clearly at risk of turning into a posh character from Eastenders. There is a suggestion that Petruchio's rough treatment rescues her from such a fate but there is a closing scene where he also offers his submission to her - clearly this is a couple of equally volcanic temperaments united by a consuming physical passion. The framing scenes with Christopher Sly are riotously funny and let the playwright off the hook - it's all a figment of Sly's drunken imagination. This is a hugely entertaining production of a notoriously difficult play superbly performed by an excellent RSC ensemble (look out for the lookalikes - Matthew Kelly, Mark Rylance, even Engelbert!). It will be very interesting to compare it to a doubtless boisterous version at the Globe this summer. - David Baxter | 22 Mar 12 |
| very bawdy, very funny - a thoroughly enjoyable experience. - Pam Morello | 19 Feb 12 |
| Sparkling performances - a thrilling experience for all 4 of us on our first visit. - Bella maher | 11 Feb 12 |
| Fabulous - Sheila broadbent | 30 Jan 12 |
