The Taming of the Shrew

This edition of Shakespeare's play examines how theatre directors and performers have explored the complexities of Katherina's story and the 'joke' of her taming by Petruchio, and of the framing story of Christopher Sly. Precise details of the stage action are set in the context of contemporary theatrical, societal and political conditions.

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The story of Katherina Minola and her marriage to Petruchio has been popular in the theatre for four centuries. The Taming of the Shrew's ongoing appeal is easy to understand - it offers almost production-proof farce, plus the perennially popular joke of the battle of the sexes - but Katherina's story, and the joke of taming an unruly woman have become increasingly controversial. This edition of The Taming of the Shrew examines how theatre directors and performers have explored the complexities of Katherina's story and that of Christopher Sly, the poor man whose story frames that of Katherine. The edition surveys a wide variety of theatrical interpretations of the play in the English-speaking world, particularly in the UK, North America, and Australia and New Zealand. It informs readers about precise details of the stage action in the context of contemporary theatrical, social and political conditions.