The Taming of the Shrew (Bard on the Beach, Summer 2012)

There are few theatre festivals I love more than Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival in Vancouver. In its 2012 season, it will bring some of the best classics of Shakespeare. And while Macbeth is probably my favorite this season, I absolutely loved the opportunity of sharing The Taming of the Shrew with JT who came as my Plus One. You’ll see, JT and I have this summer tradition where we go for dinner and then take in a Bard on the Beach performance. It’s very sweet.

Shakespeare’s romantic romp, The Taming of the Shrew, shines a comic spotlight on the pleasures and perils of the search for the perfect mate. Beautiful Bianca has no shortage of admirers, but she can’t marry until her headstrong sister Kate finds a husband. Along comes the fortune-hunting Petruchio, who is determined “to wive it wealthily in Padua” and sets out to capture the heart of the fiery-spirited Kate. Petruchio and Kate face off in a crackling battle of wits, while three enthusiastic suitors launch their own devious campaigns as they vie for Bianca’s affections.

There is something you should know in advance, though. While I have seen The Taming of the Shrew before, and I have seen it with some of the same actors, I did not get to see it in its entirety. Despite being well wrapped in clothes and layered, I found the temperature inside the theatre way too cold and I could just not withstand it. This was too sad because I have never quit a theatre performance.

Much less have I quit mid-way through the performance (I stayed until the end of the first act). But the cold was simply unbearable, so my recommendation is: BRING LOTS OF WARM CLOTHING. This city’s weather is just way too unpredictable.

That aside, I found the play really solid, as it is usually the norm with Bard on the Beach. I did not like the fact that Lois Anderson (Kate) shrieked a little bit too much in the first few scenes, but I think what happened is that she adjusted her “feisty personality” to match the more subdued, subtle tones of her cast. I found it also a bit weird to see my dear friend and admired theatre actor Bob Frazer in a secondary role at The Taming of the Shrew. I know he’s coming in a leading role this summer with Macbeth, but I just found it a bit bizarre. But other than the little minor temperature detail and the intensity of Anderson, I think The Taming of the Shrew was a funny, delightful show.

Bard on the Beach is, without a doubt, the premiere summer theatre festival and I encourage you to come and check it out. Performance run time for The Taming of the Shrew is 2 hrs 45 mins.

Disclosure: My guest and I attended this play on media tickets kindly offered by Bard on the Beach. In any review I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.