The Taming of the Shrew - A Rambling Review
Sun, 9 Mar 2003, 02:20 amleece7 posts in thread
The Taming of the Shrew - A Rambling Review
Sun, 9 Mar 2003, 02:20 amThe Taming of the Shrew
William Shakespeare
GRADS at the New Fortune
Another Rambling Review by Alicia Smith.
This review was written immediately after coming home from the play, it will
be after midnight when I finish it, oh well. There may be discrepancies due
to the later hour. No Little Creatures this time though! Promise.
I have to write these quick before my traitor memory steals the wonder of
it all.
Accuracy or Coherence, it's a fine line to walk.
I have never seen the Taming of the Shrew before, and I have never read it.
I believe that I have now been spoiled entirely for seeing any other
production of it, this was that good.
The start was so convincing and alarming that I'm sure I wasn't alone in
reaching for a mobile to call the police, there was a collective sigh from
the audience when they realised it was part of the production.
I really enjoyed the singing before the performance, that was a really nice
touch, lovely voices too, I am sorry I didn't arrive earlier to hear more.
After Jarrod's review, due to my unfamiliarity with the script (read
complete ignorance, I'm a Hamlet/Tempest/Henry8th girl by training with
a smattering of 12th Night & The Scottish Play)
I was concerned that I wouldn't understand what was going on, but this
proved to be unwarranted.
Oh, and Jarrod, if you're reading this, don't worry *I* don't think your
reviews are boring. Are they really 10 pages long? Ah well, qui custodiet
ipsos custodes I guess.
Everyone projected with clarity and precision, and they dealt with the
problem of the peacocks with forbearance and absolute professionalism,
and at times actually referred to them meaningfully by way of the script
to much hilarity. It was a delight to hear.
I laughed and laughed. I have never laughed so much at a Shakespeare
performance.
In this modern age I can see how Taming can gain the empathy of today's
audience, but with the skilled direction of Stephen Lee we see that
Kathryn's spirit is nowhere near broken, but has gained craft and true
affection for Petrucchio.
This ranks as one of the most dynamic performances I have ever seen.
Stephen Lee, besides directing also plays a great role in which he chaffs the
audience (which we love) and is the very picture of a character thoroughly
enjoying himself. Thank you very much!
I was fortunate enough to have a chat with him after the production, and he
was able to appraise me of the difficulties of being both actor and director
at the same time, checking all the angles and then going back to his
position, it must have been very exhausting work in this heat, poor fellow,
lousy welcome to Australia.
But boy, what a performance we have had the pleasure to enjoy this evening
as a result of it. It also must be an odd, and hopefully rewarding
sensation for Stephen in his role, as he is in the intertidal zone between
stage and true audience, perhaps sensing the audience's reactions, whilst
still viewing what they view.
I hope to see many more plays under his direction. Yeah! Marvellous! We're
so lucky he's here! Fresh! New! Innovative! I expect great things now. :-)
I really must try and catch this again next weekend.
I will be brief, there's a lot of people to enthuse over. And, please,
forgive if I have mistaken your character, it's because of my unfamiliarity
with the play.
Caution: Superlatives ahead!
Giavanni Bartuccio played Tranio, sharp as a blade and a fine performance,
and clearly thoroughly enjoying his role. You charmed the audience.
Thank you very much!
Mark Blades played his role as Hortensio with despatch and vigour, what a
charmer, the widow never had a chance. Nice threads too! Thank you, pleasure
to see you in a humourous role, it worked really well.
Michael Dunbar playing Baptista Minola, beautifully cool, sensible,collected and
very authoritive, an island of calm in the midst of hilarity.
Thank you heaps!
Cassie Charlick, Bianca, oh dear, from angel to shrew, what a
transformation, you could hear the audience gulp, uh oh! Well done!
All the Induction people, what a bunch of fine revellers - Cat Commander,
Catriona Coe, Amanda Patching, Stephen Quinn, Liam Ryan, Joanne Williams
and Fiona Mondello who shows us her virtuosity with her discreet,
efficient and long suffering Servant and her marvellous Tailor, who
was magnificent. Thank you!!!
David Dalla Costa's Grumio was an excellent portrayal, what a scamp! Great
performance!
The wonderful David Goodall as The Pedant carried his role with aplomb and his character cheerfully usurped authority with flair and conviction. Great stuff!
Leah Maher played Biondello the secretarial sort, very efficient and
brilliantly expressive, particularly watch for her charades with her
not-very-quick-on-the-uptake boss. You could almost taste the frustration!
Maggie McPhee's Katherine was a really strong performance
in a demanding role of increasing complexity throughout the play. I have a
great deal of respect for an acting type person who can convincingly
transform her character from tantrum to tortured to crafty without showing
a seam, so to speak. Thank you. Lovely.
David Meadows's Petrucchio was enchanting. Energetic and letting the
audience enjoy the jokes with him personally, he was indefatigable,
enthusiastic and irrepressable. His lines weren't delivered, they were
trebuchet-ed, no avoiding his words and actions for the hapless world
about him. Outrageous and very funny. Yay David!
Kim Martin, from Barrymore to Gremio and what a change! I wouldn't have
recognised him, but for the program. Wow. Pleasure to watch, as usual.
Shirley Welch had a variety of roles, the Widow, who carried it off with
misplaced dignity to the amusement of the audience, the outraged
Haberdasher, who was very funny just to watch the expression and Curtis of
the Curlers whose interplay with Grumio was hilarious.
Collin O'Brien as Vincentio, the outraged but then appeased dad of Lucentio
was a startling contrast to his previous appearance in the play as the poor
abused priest, and a rich performance it was.
Jonathan Beckett and Ian Brown gave us a very Italian looking set, the
wardrobe from Robina Maitland - Smith was thoroughly wonderful and charming, mmmm red velvet and Italian
suits...and the sound was beautifully timed, the Vespa had me fooled thanks
to the capable switches and buttons of Douglas Hampton.
Paula Griffiths made sure that everything/one was in the right place, a
great job, no glitches from my side of the stage, smooth as silk. A big
thank you to her, especially for the smiley face on my program!
Pamela Smith for her continuing selfless donation of tickets and for her
procuration of extraordinary items at a moment's notice. A Vespa? Sure!
A red one? No problem! Thank you!
Subtle and effective lighting from Nick Kay, Fiona Bujok and Ichina
Sasamori!
If I have left anyone out who wants to be mentioned let me know.
What a performance. Thank you all very much, and I recommend this to
everyone.
William Shakespeare
GRADS at the New Fortune
Another Rambling Review by Alicia Smith.
This review was written immediately after coming home from the play, it will
be after midnight when I finish it, oh well. There may be discrepancies due
to the later hour. No Little Creatures this time though! Promise.
I have to write these quick before my traitor memory steals the wonder of
it all.
Accuracy or Coherence, it's a fine line to walk.
I have never seen the Taming of the Shrew before, and I have never read it.
I believe that I have now been spoiled entirely for seeing any other
production of it, this was that good.
The start was so convincing and alarming that I'm sure I wasn't alone in
reaching for a mobile to call the police, there was a collective sigh from
the audience when they realised it was part of the production.
I really enjoyed the singing before the performance, that was a really nice
touch, lovely voices too, I am sorry I didn't arrive earlier to hear more.
After Jarrod's review, due to my unfamiliarity with the script (read
complete ignorance, I'm a Hamlet/Tempest/Henry8th girl by training with
a smattering of 12th Night & The Scottish Play)
I was concerned that I wouldn't understand what was going on, but this
proved to be unwarranted.
Oh, and Jarrod, if you're reading this, don't worry *I* don't think your
reviews are boring. Are they really 10 pages long? Ah well, qui custodiet
ipsos custodes I guess.
Everyone projected with clarity and precision, and they dealt with the
problem of the peacocks with forbearance and absolute professionalism,
and at times actually referred to them meaningfully by way of the script
to much hilarity. It was a delight to hear.
I laughed and laughed. I have never laughed so much at a Shakespeare
performance.
In this modern age I can see how Taming can gain the empathy of today's
audience, but with the skilled direction of Stephen Lee we see that
Kathryn's spirit is nowhere near broken, but has gained craft and true
affection for Petrucchio.
This ranks as one of the most dynamic performances I have ever seen.
Stephen Lee, besides directing also plays a great role in which he chaffs the
audience (which we love) and is the very picture of a character thoroughly
enjoying himself. Thank you very much!
I was fortunate enough to have a chat with him after the production, and he
was able to appraise me of the difficulties of being both actor and director
at the same time, checking all the angles and then going back to his
position, it must have been very exhausting work in this heat, poor fellow,
lousy welcome to Australia.
But boy, what a performance we have had the pleasure to enjoy this evening
as a result of it. It also must be an odd, and hopefully rewarding
sensation for Stephen in his role, as he is in the intertidal zone between
stage and true audience, perhaps sensing the audience's reactions, whilst
still viewing what they view.
I hope to see many more plays under his direction. Yeah! Marvellous! We're
so lucky he's here! Fresh! New! Innovative! I expect great things now. :-)
I really must try and catch this again next weekend.
I will be brief, there's a lot of people to enthuse over. And, please,
forgive if I have mistaken your character, it's because of my unfamiliarity
with the play.
Caution: Superlatives ahead!
Giavanni Bartuccio played Tranio, sharp as a blade and a fine performance,
and clearly thoroughly enjoying his role. You charmed the audience.
Thank you very much!
Mark Blades played his role as Hortensio with despatch and vigour, what a
charmer, the widow never had a chance. Nice threads too! Thank you, pleasure
to see you in a humourous role, it worked really well.
Michael Dunbar playing Baptista Minola, beautifully cool, sensible,collected and
very authoritive, an island of calm in the midst of hilarity.
Thank you heaps!
Cassie Charlick, Bianca, oh dear, from angel to shrew, what a
transformation, you could hear the audience gulp, uh oh! Well done!
All the Induction people, what a bunch of fine revellers - Cat Commander,
Catriona Coe, Amanda Patching, Stephen Quinn, Liam Ryan, Joanne Williams
and Fiona Mondello who shows us her virtuosity with her discreet,
efficient and long suffering Servant and her marvellous Tailor, who
was magnificent. Thank you!!!
David Dalla Costa's Grumio was an excellent portrayal, what a scamp! Great
performance!
The wonderful David Goodall as The Pedant carried his role with aplomb and his character cheerfully usurped authority with flair and conviction. Great stuff!
Leah Maher played Biondello the secretarial sort, very efficient and
brilliantly expressive, particularly watch for her charades with her
not-very-quick-on-the-uptake boss. You could almost taste the frustration!
Maggie McPhee's Katherine was a really strong performance
in a demanding role of increasing complexity throughout the play. I have a
great deal of respect for an acting type person who can convincingly
transform her character from tantrum to tortured to crafty without showing
a seam, so to speak. Thank you. Lovely.
David Meadows's Petrucchio was enchanting. Energetic and letting the
audience enjoy the jokes with him personally, he was indefatigable,
enthusiastic and irrepressable. His lines weren't delivered, they were
trebuchet-ed, no avoiding his words and actions for the hapless world
about him. Outrageous and very funny. Yay David!
Kim Martin, from Barrymore to Gremio and what a change! I wouldn't have
recognised him, but for the program. Wow. Pleasure to watch, as usual.
Shirley Welch had a variety of roles, the Widow, who carried it off with
misplaced dignity to the amusement of the audience, the outraged
Haberdasher, who was very funny just to watch the expression and Curtis of
the Curlers whose interplay with Grumio was hilarious.
Collin O'Brien as Vincentio, the outraged but then appeased dad of Lucentio
was a startling contrast to his previous appearance in the play as the poor
abused priest, and a rich performance it was.
Jonathan Beckett and Ian Brown gave us a very Italian looking set, the
wardrobe from Robina Maitland - Smith was thoroughly wonderful and charming, mmmm red velvet and Italian
suits...and the sound was beautifully timed, the Vespa had me fooled thanks
to the capable switches and buttons of Douglas Hampton.
Paula Griffiths made sure that everything/one was in the right place, a
great job, no glitches from my side of the stage, smooth as silk. A big
thank you to her, especially for the smiley face on my program!
Pamela Smith for her continuing selfless donation of tickets and for her
procuration of extraordinary items at a moment's notice. A Vespa? Sure!
A red one? No problem! Thank you!
Subtle and effective lighting from Nick Kay, Fiona Bujok and Ichina
Sasamori!
If I have left anyone out who wants to be mentioned let me know.
What a performance. Thank you all very much, and I recommend this to
everyone.