The Taming of the Shrew

‘Love wrought these miracles.’

‘Our story begins in Padua where Lucentio, the son of Vincentio of Pisa, has come to study at the university. He sees a wealthy local merchant, Baptista Minola and his two daughters; the demure and beautiful Bianca and the feisty shrew, Katherina. Lucentio falls madly in love with Bianca but there are two problems: he has two local rivals Gremio and Hortensio; Baptista will not allow Bianca to marry until his eldest daughter Katherina finds a husband.

At this point Petruchio arrives from Verona with his servant Grumio. He wants to find a wife and he only requires her to be wealthy. Hortensio sees in him the perfect husband for Katherina. Petruchio immediately sets about the battle of wooing her for his wife.

What follows is a comedy of disguise and conflict as all the couples seek to find their own particular form of love.

The Tamer Tamed

‘The Tamer’s tam’d, but so, as nor the men

Can find one just cause to complain of, when

They fitly do consider in their lives,

They should not reign as Tyrants o’er their wives.

Nor can the women from this precedent

Insult, or triumph: it being aptly meant,

To teach both Sexes due equality;

And as they stand bound, to love mutually. ‘

It is some years after the events of the Shrew and Petruchio is marrying for the second time. His new wife, Maria has a young sister, Livia who has two men trying to win her love: Gremio is up to his old tricks and is preferred by her father, Petronius. However, Livia is really in love with young Rowland.

Just after Maria has married Petruchio she is intercepted by Kate’s sister, Bianca who tells Maria of Petruchio’s treatment of her sister. Maria decides that she will not undergo the same experience and decides to tame the tamer.

What follows is a very funny and very perceptive story about the merry war between the sexes as each of the characters tames or is tamed in the battle of love.