The Taming of The Shrew

Once again this group of talented members turned to Shakespeare for their annual production. The director chose to set the piece in the 1960s, a time when women were also expressing their demands for greater individual freedom as is the main character Katherina. Rosalind Watt was outstanding as Katherina, turning from being sweet and gentle to an almost ogre like shrew as if by a flick of a switch. She was well matched by Matt Anderson as her equally strong willed suitor Petruchio. Excellent performances were given by Finley Whelan–Duenas (Lucentio, suitor of Bianca), Abbie Faskin (Bianca, Katherina’s younger sister), Emma Thomson (Baptista Minola, Katherina and Bianca’s mother) and Reuben Gedge and Joe Simpson (Gremio and Hortensio, two other suitors of Bianca). Much of the comedy in the piece was delivered by the servants – Aaron Bisset (Tranio, Lucentio’s servant), Imogen Watt (Biondella, a roller-skating servant of Lucentio) and especially Paul Paterson (Grumio, Petruchio’s lackey) whose wonderful facial expressions had the audience hooting with laughter. Also adding to the hilarity were Archie Whyte (drunkard Christopher Sly) and Josh Simpson (Sly’s wife). Strong support was given by Josie McLeod (Petruchio’s housekeeper), Erin Stark (Pedant of Mantua), Fatima Jawara (Vincentia, mother of Lucentio), Elizabeth Smith (the Tailor) and Lucy Ashley (Widow in love with Hortensio). Music from the 1960s, much of it led by Ossian Arthur as the Wedding Singer, added greatly to the piece and had the audience humming and tapping along – especially the finale to The Beatles “Twist and Shout”! Good use was made of a simple, but elegant, multi-level set. Costuming was excellent making full use of the bright colours and psychedelic prints of the era in the dresses of the girls and the shirts of the boys. Well done everyone! 

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