Shakespeare’s vicious comedy arrives at the Globe Theatre this summer
Step inside an absurd carnival this summer as Shakespeare’s vicious comedy The Taming of the Shrew arrives in the Globe Theatre.
Lucentio is determined to win the beautiful Bianca’s hand in marriage. When her father declares that it will only happen once her older sister Katherina is wedded, the competition to mould the fiercely independent Katherina into obedient wifely material begins.
The front runner is larger-than-life Petruchio. But with Katherina as proud as she is, it’s going to take shocking levels of manipulation to win her as his bride…
Following 2022’s Titus Andronicus, Director Jude Christian debuts in the Globe Theatre with Shakespeare’s playful yet challenging early comedy that asks us where we draw the line between entertainment and complicity, reality and the absurd?
The cast comprises Matthew Ashforde as Ensemble/Cover, Nigel Barrett as Christopher Sly/Gremio, John Cummins as Biondello, Lizzie Hopley as Hortensio, Tyreke Leslie as Tranio, Andrew Leung as Petruchio, Sophie Mercell as Bianca, Syakira Moeladi as Ensemble/Cover, Jamie-Rose Monk as Vincentio, Eloise Secker as Grumio, Simon Startin as Baptista, Yasmin Taheri as Lucentio, and Thalissa Teixeira as Katherina.
Director Jude Christian says: The Taming of the Shrew is a provocative play that asks deeply uncomfortable questions about gender, power, punishment, and the roles we choose to play throughout our lives. It therefore demands a cast who are fearless thinkers, standout performers, and profoundly caring human beings. I feel very fortunate to have assembled this brilliant group of collaborators and I can’t wait to see what we can make together.
The Taming of the Shrew themed Guided Tour: 11 June - 22 October.
Discover more about Shakespeare’s challenging early comedy. Inside the wooden ‘O’ itself, you’ll be introduced to the plot and characters of the play by our expert guides.
The Taming of the Shrew: 6 June - 26 October 2024
Tickets: The Taming of the Shrew
Richard III
Audiences can also see Richard III until 3 August, starring Artistic Director Michelle Terry who once again teams up with director Elle While (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2023) to play the eponymous anti-hero as they explore the enduring allure and charisma of evil.