Posner's Shrew Opens RSC London Season

The Royal Shakespeare's 1999/2000 London season at the Barbican will open with a new production of The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Lindsay Posner at The Pit on 27 October, followed by King Lear, starring Nigel Hawthorne, which opens at the Barbican Theatre on 28 October (previews from 22 October).

From December to May, a number of RSC productions seen first earlier this year at Stratford-upon-Avon will run in repertory at the Barbican Theatre and the Pit. These include: Antony and Cleopatra, starring Alan Bates and Frances de la Tour; Timon of Athens with Michael Pennington; Othello featuring Ray Fearon, the RSC's first black Moor for 40 years; A Midsummer Night's Dream; Volpone; Oroonoko; Don Carlos; and Family Reunion.

The Taming of the Shrew stars Monica Dolan as Katherine and Stuart McQuarrie as Petruchio. Dolan, who has appeared in many RSC productions, was seen most recently in Declan Donnellan's production of Noel Coward's Hay Fever at the Savoy. McQuarrie makes his RSC debut in this production. His stage credits include Shining Souls at the Old Vic and The Government Inspector at the Almeida.

The Taming of the Shrew is directed by Lindsay Posner whose previous work includes the Olivier award-winning production of Ariel Dorfman's Death and the Maiden. Recent credits include After Darwin at the Hampstead Theatre and Volpone for the RSC.

After its London season, The Taming of the Shrew will travel to Hong Kong and Stratford before embarking on an extensive regional tour. From February 2000, it will be performed in the RSC's mobile theatre auditorium in leisure centres and school halls across the UK.

Related Content