LCT Review of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

This review has been reposted courtesy of the League of Cincinnati Theatres. For more LCT reviews click here to visit their reviews page.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is easily understood and well staged by Director Kevin Hammond. With such a reliable level of technical contributions, the set, lights and sound create a classic Shakespearean environment. All audiences will enjoy the campy antics of this most excellent rendition of a classic. Simple and focused, the 2 1/2 hour show moves quickly and is highly entertaining.   Hammond includes the often cut Christopher Sly prologue which frames the story is a satisfying way.

Kelly Mengelkoch as Kate & Nicholas Rose as Petruchio. Photo by Cal Harris.

Baptista is a wealthy man with two daughters; his elder daughter is Katerina, or Kate, a screaming outspoken shrew and his younger daughter is Bianca, a soft-spoken virginal darling. Suitors clamor for Bianca’s hand but Baptista will let no man near her until nasty Kate is wed. The various suitors employ machinations and bribes to get Kate married off to someone, anyone – so they can vie for sweet Bianca. Along comes Petruchio, an older rascally bachelor who is enticed to woo Kate because of her dowry and the suitors’ promises of ducats aplenty. When Baptista gives Kate to Petruchio against her will, sparks fly and the warlike wooing is on.

The action takes place in a tavern and is performed by a band of roving actors who lapse often and well into bawdy drinking songs and the occasional anachronistic ad-lib. The very beige but functional English Tavern set worked really well, with enough doors for everyone to slam and yet neutral enough to pass for indoors or outdoors, a banquet hall, a town square, a classroom, a great room, a muddy road. Again, the lights and sound and costumes were all top notch. The costumes particularly ring true to the Bard’s classic style and yet still let the actors move and cavort.

The action is nonstop and all actors conduct themselves with great aplomb and dedication. Kelly Mengelkoch as Kate and Nick Rose as Petruchio rise above the excellent ensemble, as well they should. The show hinges on the combative dynamic between Petruchio and Kate as they wage their war with the concept of coupledom.   Well-matched, these two play off each other with intelligence and fury, with mischief and playfulness, Her long red locks flying, Mengelkoch revels in her shrewishness, growling and roaring on and off stage and takes us along for her “taming”, adding layers of nuance and letting us in on her AHA! moments.   Rose delivers a mercurial handsome Petruchio that is both charming and infuriating, understanding and tyrannical.

The entire ensemble is first rate and is playing at the top of their game. Standouts include Caitlin McWethy whose Bianca is saucier than many. Justin McComb as Servant Tranio and Jeremy Dubin as Servant Grumio both pull a lot of laughs with their polished comical skills. Strong character performances also from Frank Delaney, Jim Hopkins and Billy Chace. Well done, Players!

This is one of the easier plays for non-Shakespeare aficionados. Go and enjoy this classic battle of the sexes.

For more information on the production, click here.