'The Taming of the Shrew' may not be one of my favourite plays of one of the greatest, most important and most influential playwrights who ever lived. It however has always been incredibly entertaining and charming and Katherina and Petruchio are fascinatingly written characters. It was dismissed as misogynistic at the time and still is controversial on that front, but the characterisation, entertainment value and Shakespeare's mastery of language (especially shining in the taming process) really shine.
Of the versions of 'The Taming of the Shrew' seen (more to see), all are worth seeing. Even the weakest, the Douglas Fairbanks/Mary Pickford film. While the Richard Burton/Elizabeth Taylor film is very good, the condensed animated adaptation as part of the animated Shakespeare Tales series is great and the BBC Television Shakespeare production excellent, this 1976 production gets my vote as the best production seen of 'The Taming of the Shrew'.
Visually, the production is simple but it never came over as looking simplistic or under-budgeted. Actually found it quite charming in its simplicity and liked that it didn't go for the big lavish approach with potential traps of overblown excess, letting the language, the atmosphere and the performances speak. It's very nicely photographed too. Lee Holby's music never intrudes and adds a good deal to the atmosphere.
Shakespeare's language shines brightly, the comedy sparkles in wit, the tensions are biting and the more dramatic moments have a lot of heart. All evident in the staging as well, which felt much more than watching a filmed production but also it felt like an experience. Loved the commedia dell'arte approach, which is played to the hilt without being excessive or too broad and similar to how Shakespeare would have been performed in his day (except now women are able to play the female roles). It honestly felt like the feeling one gets when watching a production at the Globe, which is always rich in authenticity and like being transported back in time.
Not every production of 'The Taming of the Shrew' gets the meaning of the play, or at least not completely nailing it, and not every production makes Petruchio's approach clear. The BBC Television Shakespeare production did, so did this production even amidst all the commedia dell'arte that in lesser hands would have distracted or swamped. The heart of the play translates very well here, not bland at all. The character interaction, especially the crucial one between Kate and Petruchio, is richly detailed and what it should be. It is easy to make their relationship too combative, but one feels the love and a real growth in Kate's character (the shrewishness and taming equally convincing).
Performances are excellent. Marc Singer has the right amount of wit for Petruchio and the right approach to it (acidic), while also giving him humanity and not outright hateful. Fredi Olster is a suitably initially shrewd and disdainful Kate while being genuinely touching when she becomes more compassionate and vulnerable. The chemistry between the two of them crackles in wit, intensity and pathos, the combat has tension but there is definitely a soulmates in love feel here. The rest of the cast are fine too.
In summary, outstanding. 10/10.
