Justin Audibert puts the women in charge in a reimagining of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew showing at The Barbican
‘A landmark production as women take charge’ ★★★★ Evening Standard
Many are familiar with William Shakespeare’s classic version of this play but if you want to see this radical retelling then book your tickets for The Taming of the Shrew now. Justin Audibert will direct this energetic comedy set to open at the Barbican on 5 November 2019 and is booking until 18 January 2020 as part of the upcoming 2019/20 RSC season at the Barbican Centre.
So, what is the twist in this production?
The Taming of the Shrew has been retold countless times and has had various loose adaptations, which famously include Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate which was adapted into a film in 1967, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. It was even adapted into a high school romantic comedy 10 Things I Hate About You, starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles.
The twist on Audibert’s 2019 reimagining completely turns the hierarchy on its head. The original version of this play is controversial and considered to be misogynistic, but this twist sees the women put in charge. Switching up the genders allows for a completely new take and offers a humorously profound portrayal of hierarchy and control.
Who are the cast and creatives in this reimagined comedy?
The cast for this gender-focused comedy are made up of the following: Joseph Arkley as Katherine, Charlotte Arrowsmith as Curtis, Hannah Azuonye as Pedant, Melody Brown as Vincentia, Richard Clews as Grumio, James Cooney as Bianco, Amelia Donkor as Hortensia, Laura Elsworthy as Trania, Amanda Harris as Baptista and Emily Johnstone as Lucentia.
The cast will be complete by Alex Jones, Alexander Mushore, Michael Patrick, Claire Price, Sophie Stanton, Aaron Thiara, Amy Trigg and Leo Wan.
Justin Audibert, the artistic director of the Unicorn Theatre, will be directing. Joining the creative team will be Stephen Brimson Lewis (set design), Hannah Clark (costumes), Matt Peel (lighting), Ruth Chan (music), Claire Windsor (sound), Lucy Cullingford (movement) and Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Copper-Brown (fights).
The Taming of the Shrew RSC Barbican tickets London available now!
This reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic isn’t one to be missed, as the witty twist is certainly going to give this explosive tale of courtship a whole new lease of life. The Taming of the Shrew tickets for the Barbican Centre run are likely to be in high demand, so be sure to snatch yours up today!
Gallery photo credits: Photos by Ikin Yum (c) RSC
***Also playing for the RSC's 2019/20 season at The Barbican are new productions of William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure and As You Like It.