Taming of the Shrew: in present day costumes, the Kanata production becomes a tale of wife abuse rather than a romantic comedy

It is just possible to swallow the theme of a husband having dominion over his submissive wife when William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew is presented as a period piece. Even then, it frequently raises the hackles of contemporary audiences. When it is delivered in near-present-day costume, the director leading with his chin and the outdated concept is much more difficult to accept. Through this lens, Shrew becomes more of a tale of wife abuse than a romantic comedy.

In the Kanata Theatre production, director Jim Holmes uses such costumes as an ABBA jumpsuit to lighten the mood and emphasize the comedy aspect. This works to a degree, but is hard to justify dramatically. Even more of an effect for its own sake is a Mexican dance and multi-coloured skirts as part of a wedding celebration. (All that just to throw sombreros over an Italian fountain?)

 

In terms of an ensemble, the cast work well together, with two particularly effective performances: Dale MacEachern is a fine Petruchio, in complete command of his character and the stage. Leslie Cserepy is also first class in his solid characterization of Tranio, the servant who helps his master, Lucentio (Aaron Lajeunesse) to cement his love match with Bianca (Tara Sisson).

Lajeunesse and Sisson portray young love quite effectively, but Lajeunesse appears uncomfortable with Shakespearean language and is hard to understand, while Sisson is a little too repetitive in the hair-twirling, skirt-waving motions as indications of flirting.

Tania Carriere moves gracefully as Katherina but does not convince me that she is as shrewish as others say. Downplaying her first appearance as a harridan may be the director’s intent, rather than the actor’s decision, but the effect is to leave too little contrast between Kate the shrew and Kate the compliant wife. Carriere does, however, manage to convey that she is humouring Petruchio by accepting his silly demands and there is enough chemistry between MacEachern and Carriere to provide the requisite happily-ever-after note.

Reviewed by Iris Winston

The Taming of the Shrew continues at the Ron Maslin Playhouse to Nov. 20, 2010

The Taming of the Shrew

By William Shakespeare

Directed and designed by Jim Holmes

Lighting by Sudarsan Narasimhan

Sound by Robert Fairbairn and Jim Holmes

Costumes by Mary Holmes

a Kanata Theatre Production

Cast

Lucentio                                  Aaron Lajeunesse

Tranio                                      Leslie Cserepy

Baptista                                   Bill Horsman

Gremio                                    Barry Caiger

Katherina                                Tania Carriere

Hortensio                                Paul Behncke

Bianca                                     Tara Sisson

Biondella                                 Anne-Marie Kelly

Petruchio                                 Dale MacEachern

Grumio                                    Lee Powell

Servant to Baptista                 Anna Lisa Bloom

Curtis                                      Tony Gascon

Pedant                                     Troy Page

Haberdasher                            Anna Lisa Bloom

Tailor                                       Diane Smith

Vincentio                                Tom Kobolak

Widow                                                Sandy Wynne

Also in the cast: Sean Behncke, Margrit Cattell, Michaela Deng, Deanna Derrick, Elaine Sandness, Dan Smith, Margaret Sullivan