The Shrew

An adaptation of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew by Charles Marowitz. The acclaimed 1975 production was performed at The Studio in the Sydney Opera House. Refashioned as a gothic tale, the adaptation removed all the comedy, and instead concentrated on examining the themes of sadism and brain washing, with a misogynistic Petruchio raping and beating Katherina and driving her mad. The play divided critics, though many celebrated it as a genuinely original and relevant treatment of a difficult Shakespeare text.

Performance history in South Africa

Directed by Dawn Lindberg at the Chelsea Theatre in 1975 starring Michael McGovern, Don McCorkindale, Molly Seftel (as Kate), Des Lindberg, Hugh Rouse, Dawn Lindberg and others.

A C.A.T. production titled The Shrew was presented in the Concert Hall, Baxter Theatre in 1980, directed by Dawn Lindberg featuring Michael McGovern, Molly Seftel, Des Lindberg, Roland Stafford, Michael O'Brien, Dawn Lindberg.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Taming_of_the_Shrew

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Marowitz

Poster (1975 production) held by NELM: Poster Collection [Collection: LINDBERG, Des and Dawn]: 2005. 56. 4. 5

Tucker, 1997. 315.

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