The Taming of the Shrew | Royal Shakespeare Company
The Taming of the Shrew | Royal Shakespeare Company
The ultimate battle of the sexes is turned on its head in Justin Audibert’s The Taming of the Shrew as the 1590s are reimagined – with women in charge.
In this radical take on Shakespeare's fierce and energetic comedy of gender, Baptista Minola is seeking to marry off her two sons, the sweet-tempered Bianco and the rebellious Katherine. Cue an explosive courtship and a keenly witty portrayal of hierarchy and power.
‘A landmark production as women take charge’ **** Evening Standard
The RSC’s London production of The Taming of the Shrew is kindly supported by Cockayne – Grants for the Arts and the London Community Foundation.
- Cast
Director Justin Audibert
Set Designer Stephen Brimson Lewis
Costume Designer Hannah Clark
Lighting Matt Peel
Music Ruth Chan
Sound Claire Windsor
Movement Lucy Cullingford
Fights Rachel Bown-Williams, Ruth Cooper-Brown
- Duration
Duration: 2 hours 50 minutes including an interval
- Good To Know
Photos by Ikin Yum (c) RSC
Additional Details & FAQ
- Access Information
- Tue 17 Dec, 7.15pm - Audio-described and captioned performance with Touch Tour (5.15pm)
To contact the Access Manager please email access@barbican.org.uk or call 020 7382 7348 during office hours.
- Cancellation Policy
No refunds or exchanges after booking.
- Where Do I Go
Barbican Centre, Silk St, London, EC2Y 8DS
By Tube
The venue is within walking distance from a number of London Underground stations, the closest being Barbican, St Paul’s and Moorgate.
By Bus
Bus Route 153 runs directly past the venue. along Chiswell Street. Alight at 'Silk Street'.
It is also close to Bus Route 4 and 56 which serve Barbican tube station.
Reviews
Donna Hamilton
Jan 11, 2020
Simply stunning performance. Loved the gender reversal. Great costumes and very user-friendly venue. Am booking my next visit very soon.
Alex
Jan 11, 2020
Loved it, it was light yet dark, frothy, joyous, and incredibly funny
Margaret
Jan 10, 2020
A thoroughly enjoyable evening, though a little strange with the reverse sex change roles. (This took a little time to get used to the truculent Katherine, being played by a man and Petruchia played by a woman. The cast was excellent, particularly Claire Price as Katherine
K Clark
Jan 10, 2020
Really great perspective on the play- enjoyed the role reversal of parts. The play was Very funny. I liked the inclusivity of actors with disabilities in the play. Also the way it was true to Shakespeare and also new and exciting
Alan Young
Jan 10, 2020
The Role Reversely did not work as well as the play deserved . The cast Were Good And talented
Samena Mehmood
Jan 3, 2020
The story retold from a changing perspective. I really enjoyed Justin Audibert exploration of power imbalance between genders. The shrew was tamed through Petruchia love to get the job done! I’m going to explore this version with a group of young people who are exploring their own gender identity. Lots of laughs along the way . Shifting perspective can help challenge our own subconscious biases. Thanks
CatherineD
Dec 31, 2019
An excellent production and cast.
Paul hayes
Dec 22, 2019
Excellent interpretation and well execution and surprisingly very funny. Considering the play is over 400 years old it hasn’t lost it humour
Tania Witter
Dec 17, 2019
I didn't feel that the changing over of the gender roles worked well. The acting was brilliant, but the effect on the whole was to demean all the men, whereas in Shakespeare's play, the women are not demeaned. On the whole, Shakespeare is better left as written.
Mike Lees
Dec 6, 2019
I greatly enjoyed the production. The gender role reversal highlighted the misogyny in the play and was very effective. The comic sections were weak but that was not the fault of the production, Shakespeare's comic scenes are basically like the Chuckle Brothers on a bad day.
Brenda
Dec 4, 2019
Barbican theatre is beautiful wonderful seats ! I really enjoyed the show - I had never been to see the Royal Shakespeare company before and would love to see other shows
S Randell
Nov 23, 2019
This was a superb production from beginning to end. Vibrant costumes, wonderful music played on stage and atmospheric lighting. The acting was of the highest order, could not fault it. If you are fortunate enough to have a ticket for this production you will certainly enjoy it.
Anna
Nov 10, 2019
Thoroughly Enjoyed the production
Anna
Nov 10, 2019
Thoroughly Enjoyed the production