The Taming of the Shrew

This book discusses the stage history of The Taming of the Shrew, surveying major productions of the play.

William Shakespeare (Author), Elizabeth Schafer (Edited by)

9780521667418, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 23 January 2003

300 pages, 10 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.47 kg

'I cannot recommend too highly the whole series (a bargain at £16.99 for each play) to all theatre lovers, theatregoers, theatre practitioners, and anybody who enjoys Shakespeare.' Robert Tanitch, What's on in London

The story of Katherina Minola and her marriage to Petruchio has been popular in the theatre for four centuries. The Taming of the Shrew's ongoing appeal is easy to understand - it offers almost production-proof farce, plus the perennially popular joke of the battle of the sexes - but Katherina's story, and the joke of taming an unruly woman have become increasingly controversial. This edition of The Taming of the Shrew examines how theatre directors and performers have explored the complexities of Katherina's story and that of Christopher Sly, the poor man whose story frames that of Katherine. The edition surveys a wide variety of theatrical interpretations of the play in the English-speaking world, particularly in the UK, North America, and Australia and New Zealand. It informs readers about precise details of the stage action in the context of contemporary theatrical, social and political conditions.

List of illustrations
Series editors' preface
Acknowledgements
Editor's note
List of abbreviations
List of productions
Introduction
The Taming of the Shrew and commentary
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Shakespeare plays [DDS]