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The Taming of the Shrew

Sat, 8 Mar 2003, 02:17 am
Walter Plinge8 posts in thread
WHAT: The Taming of the Shrew
WHEN: Friday, March 7 (2003)
WHERE: GRADS, New Fortune Theatre, University of WA

I was challenged to write a review that wasn't ten pages long and utterly boring. Okay, this won't be ten pages long.

The Graduate Dramatic Society has extended its reputation for presenting quality Shakespearean productions. This was one of the most cleverly and lovingly directed productions I've seen in a long time. Direction can sometimes be overshadowed by performances. The general public will usually walk out saying, "Wasn't Joe Bloggs good (or bad)," but rarely say, "Wasn't it well directed." The director can often be overlooked, unless a show is really good or really bad. This was really good.

Director Stephen Lee is new to Perth, but has years of experience behind him in the UK. Honestly, we're talking decades. The man must be positively ancient. We know that Will's plays have little, if any, stage directions, making them extremely susceptible to interpretation. (Is that one of the reasons they've survived for so long? Thoughts?) Stephen has thought out and choreographed every line. It's very funny and it really is a joy to watch.

Unfortunately, it's not such a joy to listen to. I'm not trying to be nasty, but there were some real problems with acoustics. It wasn't an overall problem - some of the cast could be understood perfectly, but a bit too much of the dialogue was lost in the reverb and echo. Sometimes I had no idea what the hell was going on.

Five hundred years ago, were people smarter or dumber? Did Shakespeare pad out his flimsy plots with superfluous subplots so as to keep the masses entertained, or did they see more in it than us? Why did Lucentio and Tranio swap identities? Why did Tranio (pretending to be Lucentio) woo Bianca for Lucentio? Why didn't Lucentio just do it himself? Why did Lucentio (pretending to be Tranio) start goosestepping all over the stage and using a Colonel Klink accent? Why did Tranio sometimes sound like Don Corleone and sometimes like Tony Soprano? These (and many other small queries) may have been explained, but no one I spoke to heard them

Regardless of the occasionally meandering script, it was a strong cast led by David Meadows and Maggie McPhee, complemented by many GRADS regulars. The servants very nearly stole the entire show, in particular Leah Maher and Dario Dalla Costa, but don't tell them or it'll go to their heads.

The costumes were stunning - absolutely gorgeous for the most part. The guys' suits were stylish and smart, while the ladies were particularly feminine (there are enough bloody men in the world - I can't fathom why the current trend is for women to increasingly dress like them). I have to make special mention of Fiona Mondello's tailor's outfit - how can I not commend the stunning green frock and black seamed stockings? Congratulations to Wardrobe Manager, Robina Maitland-Smith.

I hope I haven't sounded too critical. If they can do something about the sound it will be as close to perfect as a Shakespeare can get. I must admit, the sound was much better in Act 2, so maybe mention was made, or else the audience was getting used to it. It is difficult to tell when you're so close and accustomed to the lines, which is why as an outsider, I hope I'm being helpful in saying, "Do something about it." (Less shouting, maybe?)

Anyway, you have to go and see it. It's GRADS' annual Shakespeare for goodness' sake. You KNOW it's going to be good. And what's more, it's energetic, fresh and very, very funny. It's got a hard-working, enthusiastic and young cast (plus Collin O'Brien - that's what you get for not coming out the front to say G'Day). Stephen Lee has brought an all new energy to what many people casually dismiss (Bah, Shakespeare!), and I'm sure he's going to be in demand in the future.

Thanks again,
JB

Thread (8 posts)

Walter PlingeSat, 8 Mar 2003, 02:17 am
WHAT: The Taming of the Shrew
WHEN: Friday, March 7 (2003)
WHERE: GRADS, New Fortune Theatre, University of WA

I was challenged to write a review that wasn't ten pages long and utterly boring. Okay, this won't be ten pages long.

The Graduate Dramatic Society has extended its reputation for presenting quality Shakespearean productions. This was one of the most cleverly and lovingly directed productions I've seen in a long time. Direction can sometimes be overshadowed by performances. The general public will usually walk out saying, "Wasn't Joe Bloggs good (or bad)," but rarely say, "Wasn't it well directed." The director can often be overlooked, unless a show is really good or really bad. This was really good.

Director Stephen Lee is new to Perth, but has years of experience behind him in the UK. Honestly, we're talking decades. The man must be positively ancient. We know that Will's plays have little, if any, stage directions, making them extremely susceptible to interpretation. (Is that one of the reasons they've survived for so long? Thoughts?) Stephen has thought out and choreographed every line. It's very funny and it really is a joy to watch.

Unfortunately, it's not such a joy to listen to. I'm not trying to be nasty, but there were some real problems with acoustics. It wasn't an overall problem - some of the cast could be understood perfectly, but a bit too much of the dialogue was lost in the reverb and echo. Sometimes I had no idea what the hell was going on.

Five hundred years ago, were people smarter or dumber? Did Shakespeare pad out his flimsy plots with superfluous subplots so as to keep the masses entertained, or did they see more in it than us? Why did Lucentio and Tranio swap identities? Why did Tranio (pretending to be Lucentio) woo Bianca for Lucentio? Why didn't Lucentio just do it himself? Why did Lucentio (pretending to be Tranio) start goosestepping all over the stage and using a Colonel Klink accent? Why did Tranio sometimes sound like Don Corleone and sometimes like Tony Soprano? These (and many other small queries) may have been explained, but no one I spoke to heard them

Regardless of the occasionally meandering script, it was a strong cast led by David Meadows and Maggie McPhee, complemented by many GRADS regulars. The servants very nearly stole the entire show, in particular Leah Maher and Dario Dalla Costa, but don't tell them or it'll go to their heads.

The costumes were stunning - absolutely gorgeous for the most part. The guys' suits were stylish and smart, while the ladies were particularly feminine (there are enough bloody men in the world - I can't fathom why the current trend is for women to increasingly dress like them). I have to make special mention of Fiona Mondello's tailor's outfit - how can I not commend the stunning green frock and black seamed stockings? Congratulations to Wardrobe Manager, Robina Maitland-Smith.

I hope I haven't sounded too critical. If they can do something about the sound it will be as close to perfect as a Shakespeare can get. I must admit, the sound was much better in Act 2, so maybe mention was made, or else the audience was getting used to it. It is difficult to tell when you're so close and accustomed to the lines, which is why as an outsider, I hope I'm being helpful in saying, "Do something about it." (Less shouting, maybe?)

Anyway, you have to go and see it. It's GRADS' annual Shakespeare for goodness' sake. You KNOW it's going to be good. And what's more, it's energetic, fresh and very, very funny. It's got a hard-working, enthusiastic and young cast (plus Collin O'Brien - that's what you get for not coming out the front to say G'Day). Stephen Lee has brought an all new energy to what many people casually dismiss (Bah, Shakespeare!), and I'm sure he's going to be in demand in the future.

Thanks again,
JB
crgwllmsSat, 8 Mar 2003, 12:21 pm

Re: That's what we have directors for

Jarrod Buttery wrote:
>
>We know that Will's plays have little, if any, stage directions, making
> them extremely susceptible to interpretation. (Is that one
> of the reasons they've survived for so long? Thoughts?)



I seem to recall annoying quite a few people, mostly writers, when I once declared that you can pretty well ignore scripted stage directions.
I believe they are a literary tool, to allow a reader to understand what the writer is intending, in the absence of it being acted out in front of them; but not necessarily a dramatic one...meaning directors should make up their own minds about how to move the play, and use or ignore stage directions as they see fit.

The opposing argument seemed to be that the writer has carefully crafted what they want to happen onstage, and tampering with them is treasonable without seeking the writer's permission.

In my opinion, that's a writer also wanting to be a director. The process of creating a play (or film) is an evolving one, where everyone contributes but must surrender to the larger process...the writer gives the play or film script to the director and let's it go; the director passes on to the actors and others, but come opening night must let go; the actors take it and run with it and the audience is the final recipient (in a film, the actors must relinquish to the editor...). Obviously there is cross-talk and loops; a director can give ongoing notes and feedback, and has the most control over the process; writers or actors or anyone in the loop can have greater or lesser involvement at various stages; sometimes one person wears several hats.


Jarrod's point about interpretation is the key, I believe. There are no surprises in Shakespeare or any other well-known script, everything comes down to interpretation. I think you should be free to create whatever you like in order to make sense of the lines, and if it serves the play, it's a good choice.

It appears that Stephen Lee has choreographed every line, and that has been a succesful interpretation.
The writer obviously hasn't felt the need to dictate the presentation; his trust in the process has been well-vindicated, I would say.

(Ha - you asked for my thoughts, oh foolish one!)


Cheers,
Craig

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Walter PlingeSun, 9 Mar 2003, 12:10 am

Re: The Taming of the Shrew

Hi Jarrod

I read your review with interest, as I knew I was going to see the show the following night ( plus the fact that I love your reviews !)

Having seen many shows at the New Fortune, vocal clarity and projection are usually the main problems with a performance at this venue. I was very aware of your comments and I have to say that for their second performance, I could clearly hear all of the performers and it was such a joy to be able to do so.

My congratulations to the cast and the crew of this production. In such stifling conditions, they still managed to produce a vital, energetic, witty, clever, acrobatic, understandable, joyous production. I really think that this is one of the most lively and fun filled Shakespeare productions I have ever seen. Their understanding of the text and their characterisations were a joy to watch.

Well done, for correcting the clarity and projection problem, for performing in that heat and for the overall show.

I would urge everyone to see this production.

Kerri
Walter PlingeSun, 9 Mar 2003, 03:02 pm

Re: The Taming of the Shrew

Sitting through "bad" Shakespeare is about as much fun as stapling one's bottom lip to one's own left buttock, however, watching the Bard done CORRECTLY is one of life's greatest joys! And this production of Shrew is about as good as you'll ever see. It is sublime!!!!!

I've seen this done professionally a few times now, I'm sure most of us have. In my humble opinion, it's always struck me as a particularly misogynistic piece of tripe. BUT, for the first time ever, I watched it and DIDn't grind my teeth/crack the shits/burn my bra. Ah interpretation! Where would we be without it??

This play has been exquisitely directed. Steve has approached the text from a fresh angle and it works beautifully. And it's FUNNY,y'all! Laugh out loud, PISS funny! If comedy is difficult to do, then surely the trickiest of comedy styles to pull off is slapstick. This cast's comic timing and delivery was impecable! A bloke being clocked in the nuts/a bloke running into a wall NEVER stops being funny. Never! On this note I'd like to especially congradulate Leah Maher, Mark Blades, Giovanni Bartuccio, shirley welch and Dario Della Costa for their hiLARious performances!! I've seen Mark and Leah do "serious" stuff before now and they are both terrific actors. Their flair for comedy however is more than a little awesome! Y'all CRACKed me up! (Mark, that really bad wig you wear does upstage you a bit, BTW...)

I must jump on the Worst Acoustics EVER! bandwagon. Sorry, the New Fortune may well be the closest thing Perth has to a bona fide Shakers theatre, but the sound is still rubbish. Also, were the "accents" REALLY necessary?? Giovanni's didn't seem to know where his was and the German accent made the lovely Mr Petani rather difficult to understand.

Finally, maybe it's just me, but have any of you ever longed for a role, and not gotten it and then gone and seen the production hoping, nay PRAYing that the person who DID get would be really crap?? Well, Ms Maggie McPhee (ooh, I'll be sore tomorrow...) you were brilliant love! I wanted to dislike your performance, hell I tried! There are only so many sour grapes a precious and fragile beast like myself can stomah though! And credit where credit is due, you nailed Kate! This was the first time I ever felt for Kate or even liked her. And it's the first time I've seen her fall in love with Petruccio! It was a powerful, thoughtful and most importantly truthful portayal. Thank you!

A stellar cast with expert direction! Mr Lee has been sent to us as a gift by the benevolent ghost of Larry Olivier, I'm sure of it! Audition for all his plays, attend his courses, go watch him perform! He's just what we've always needed here!

J x
Grant MalcolmSun, 9 Mar 2003, 10:04 pm

Re: Acoustics

To my shame, I can't yet comment on the current production of The Shrew playing the New Fortune, yet - it's the first opening night of Shakespeare this venue I've missed in nine years!

But I do have an idea how devilish the venue can be to perform in. I couldn't help noticing the howling wind on opening night and sympathising with the cast as they must have struggled to counter a wave of white noise as the wind ripped through the trees behind the New Fortune.

On a calmer, balmy summer night, Kerri clearly experienced a very different show.

Very best wishes to cast and crew and I look forward to getting along!

Cheers
Grant

PS. I remember Marcus Graham playing Biondello in the New Fortune in 1986 - amazing he should be back in town and playing in The Blue Room at the Maj when the Shrew is next staged in the New Fortune!

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Walter PlingeThu, 13 Mar 2003, 04:43 pm

Re: The Taming of the Shrew

I saw this show on Saturday nite and I thought it was excellent. The only thing that marred it was the peacocks making incessant noises at the start.

Acoustically it was fine - but then having seen Shakespeare in the bloody park several times, with dreadful acoustics, steep ticket prices and an aching backside- any venue is fine!
PamelaFri, 14 Mar 2003, 10:06 am

Re: The Taming of the Shrew

Backstage we have been coming up with creative suggestions for dealing with said pea fowl.

None of them very humane.

Thou fawning earth-vexing bladder! Mmm, peacock bladder....

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JonnoFri, 14 Mar 2003, 10:30 am

Re: The Taming of the Shrew

Don't worry Pamela,
Tonight I'm giving those overgrown chooks a dose of Joe Satriani!
Jonno.
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