Taming of the Shrew

One of Shakespeare’s earliest comedies

October 7 – 25,  2003
Previews:  October 7th and 8th at 8pm
Opens:  October 9th at 8pm
Evening Performances:  October 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25th at 8pm
Matinee:  Saturday October 25th at 2pm
Pre-Show Lecture:  Friday October 10th at 7pm

Director:  Alisa Palmer (Guest Director)
Set Designer:  Allan Stichbury (Faculty)
Costume Designer:  Alison Green (Guest Artist)
Lighting Designer:  William Mackwood (Guest Artist)
Sound Designer:  John Mills-Cockell (Guest Artist)
Stage Manager:  Jen Braem

Assistant Director:  Britt Candide Small (Graduate Student)
Assistant Set Designer:  Scott Powell
Assistant Costume Designers:  Odessa Bennett, Kendra Oliver and Sarah Wallin
Music Associate:  Allison Ward

Featuring:  Cameron Anderson, Alicia Bate, Melissa Bates, Meg Braem, Annette Dreeshen, Stacey Gaetz, Jay Hindle, Katie Hood, Eva Markvoort, Emma Claire Miller, Stephanie Nikolaidis, Mitch Pollock, Beth Scozzafava, Marisa Smith, Karen Taylor, and Allison Ward.

Shakespeare’s irresistible romp features the two daughters of a rich Paduan merchant:  Katharina thought of by many as a fiery tempered shrew, and Bianca, who is seen as an angel from heaven.  Although there is no shortage of suitors for the lovely Bianca, her father insists she postpone marriage until her elder sister is suitably matched.  When the boorish Petruchio announces his willingness to marry any woman with a large enough dowry—even Kate—Bianca’s dilemma seems to be solved.  But is it possibly Petruchio has met his match in the wild Kate?


MEDIA REVIEWS

 “Gosh, if I was to limit myself to a single adjective, this could well be the shortest review ever.  To wit, The Taming of the Shrew, the season opener for UVic’s Phoenix Theatre, is a great show—great set, great performances, great costumes, and really great directing.  Go see it.  (See?  We’re basically done.)”

-John Threlfall (Monday Magazine Reviewer)

“The play was excellent, filled with energetic presentations of physical and verbal humour.  The language is hard to comprehend at first, but the actors animated the story with their natural verbal delivery and spirited physical action.”

-Max Lamb (Martlet)

“The personalities, jokes and banter, which challenge and expose the hilarity of our courting rituals, add a timeless ingredient to the performance.  The mood is jovial and light but not without depth.”

-Jason Schreurs (Nexus)

“Alan Stichbury’s ingenious set and Alison Green’s beautiful costumes added a depth and visual richness to the production.”

-Linda Fraser (Victoria Rainbow News)

“Palmer, a noted Canadian director, is known for her knack with physical comedy.  Accordingly, she has attempted to liven up the proceedings with plenty of hijinx.  The players caper about mischeviously, with Petruchio even making his entrance on a moped.”

-Adrian Chamberlain (Times Colonist Reviewer)

“Nonetheless, Palmer’s direction is physically lively and effervescent, always pairing the appropriate amount of stage business with the right character and she seemed to take special delight in the often overlooked servant roles.  She also tutors the young performers well in theatre-in-the-round while overall, the production was infused with a professional and sophisticated charm.”

-Robert Mitchell (CBC Reviewer)