REVIEW: The Taming of the Shrew is an Uproarious Battle of the Sexes
Through 08/24 @ Shakespeare & Company, Lenox MA
“Most people would be surprised that there are this many laughs in Shakespeare.”
Shakespeare & Company has a rollicking The Taming of the Shrew playing which packs more than enough pratfalls and pranks to keep you amused through its two and a half hour running time. It doesn’t solve the gender politics of this thorny, problematic play but you’ll have no problem having a most excellent time.
The cast has been reduced to eight protean masters: Juan Luis Acevedo, Sheila Bandyopadhyay, MaConnia Chesser, Rory Hammond, Jamal James, Dennis Trainor Jr., Austyn Williamson & Ryan Winkles. Stars all, it is almost impossible to pick a favorite but James in the leading role of Petrucchio has the chops to get huge laughs, touch your heart and make you swoon with his impressive physicality.
Director Nicole Ricciardi plays delightfully with the quick change, having actors literally swap beards and cloaks in the middle of a scene because she needs someone to pick up a line. The play is performed on a nearly bare stage of a bench, a tree (fun play within a play opening, set by Will Sexton) and mounds of luggage emphasizing the transient nature of identity acquired by clothing. The production is sumptuously costumed by the resident genius Govane Lohbauer.
S&Co needs to get greater recognition for its comic expertise. Most people would be surprised that there are this many laughs in Shakespeare. The cast is packed with master clowns and the playful take on this play never flags with sharp line readings, vivid characters and pop references from The Godfather, to Nutty Professor, to Star Wars.
The closing speech by Katharina—played by the queen MaConnia Chesser who can weave spells with her voice and speech—which advises women to cherish their man was so passionately delivered that it roused a healthy ovation despite what your feelings of gender equality might be.
It’s a shame this production is only running two weekends but the S&Co crowd knew its value as Tuesday night was sold out. Grab a ticket if you can for this uproarious battle of the sexes.
The Taming of the Shrew plays through 8/24 in the Tina Packer Playhouse at Shakespeare & Company. Tickets: www.shakespeare.org
