Filed under

Shakespeare In High Park: The Taming of the Shrew

Canadian Stage presents a Shakespearean battle of the sexes styled for the 21st century

By Victoria Bégin • July 22, 2013

A Canadian Stage production in collaboration with the Department of Theatre in the Faculty of Fine Arts, York University
Directed by Ted Witzel

Kevin MacDonald and Sophie Goulet in The Taming of the Shrew. Photo by David Hou.

William Shakespeare is regarded by many as the greatest writer of all time. One of the reasons his plays, poems, and sonnets have held readers captive for centuries is due to enduring themes that still ring true for audiences today. The Taming of the Shrew is a classic example of a play containing modern issues, such as gender politics and superficiality. Canadian Stage has taken the relevance of this comedy and combined it with music, colourful costumes, and the magic of High Park to create a Shakespearean experience like no other.

This summer, the High Park Amphitheatre is playing host to two Shakespearean productions for the first time in 20 years—Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew. The latter, dressed up for the 21st century, features contemporary fashion, slang, and the consumption of Starbucks coffee. The shrewd Katherina (Sophie Goulet), clad in torn black leggings and boots, a cigarette dangling from her mouth, is frustrated by men and vows to never wed. Her bubbly, popular sister Bianca (Jennifer Dzialoszynski) is dressed to resemble a Candyland character complete with a pink wig, and her father (Hume Baugh) has forbidden her to wed until her older sister has taken a husband. The comedy that ensues from these polar opposites is rounded out by excellent performances from Kevin MacDonald as Petruchio, Tiana Asperjan as Lucentia and Thomas Olajide as Tranio.

Exceptional comedic timing is a strong point in this production, and notable moments include the scene that takes place between Kate and Petruchio after their wedding, resulting in two filthy wedding dresses and mutton being flung across the stage, as well as the ongoing banter between Bianca, Lucentia, and Hortensio (Greg Gale). The production makes excellent use of the outdoor stage (the cast takes small breaks in between scenes to act out a montage to music).

The Taming of the Shrew is a highly entertaining, controversial examination of gender roles. A summer must-see for Torontonians. Catch it until August 31 at the High Park Ampitheatre. Visit canadianstage.com for more information and to buy tickets.