'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.
All of this is more than apparent in this Stratford production, the filmed Stratford Shakespeare productions are all well worth watching and their version of 'The Taming of the Shrew' is one of the winners. For me it's one of the most entertaining, most insightfully directed and best acted, and while not the best overall version of 'The Taming of the Shrew' (the 1976 production) it does so well at having plenty to enjoy for those familiar with the play and being accessible while still being tasteful to first-timers.
Did feel that the ending didn't have the same amount of invention and emotional punch compared to the rest of the production, but everything else is brilliantly done.
First and foremost, the acting. Ben Carlson sizzles as Petruchio and gives the text the emotional complexity and command needed. His chemistry with Deborah Hay is absolute dynamite. Tom Rooney and Gordon C Miller are wickedly funny and manage to not overplay characters that easily can be overacted. Best of all, and for me the best thing about the production, is the furious force of nature that is Hay. Have very rarely seen a Katharina this contemptuous, this emotionally physical or with shrewishness this firey, yet the taming doesn't feel too diluted and gives some heart. All the chemistry is full of passion.
Costumes and sets are truly lavish and the intimate yet expansive enough camera work is some of the best of any Shakespeare productions from, or seen in, recent years. The music is also beautiful and fits the atmosphere and period adeptly, authenticity not being in question. Loved the intimate but also interactive ambience, it did feel like you were in the venue and witnessing how Shakespeare's plays were performed in his day.
Staging is thoughtful and tasteful, with plenty of funny moments with the entertainment value being relentless, moments that give the chills and yet the heart is not lost. It also isn't afraid to take risks and does so in for example the daring way Katharina is directed. It is accessible and easy to follow, while never losing the heart. The pacing is consistently lively, apart from losing a little fire at the end.
All in all, excellent and with Hay being especially striking. 9/10.
