Taming of the Shrew
Dates of performance
1956
Overview
A tale of impersonation. Love hate relationships. Katherine the Shrew and Bianca the sister.
Set in Italy Lucentio falls in love with Bianca, youngest daughter of father Baptista.
Gremio and Hortensio also desire Bianca, so Baptista decrees that neither may pursue her until the shrew Katherine has a husband. Lucentio has his servant impersonate him whilst he disguising himself as teacher Cambio to get close to Bianca.
Petruchio of Verona and servant Grumio arrive and hearing of Katherine, decides to chase and marry her to obtain her family's wealth. Lucentio, Gremio and Hortensio agree to pay all costs of Petruchio's quest.
Amazingly, Petruchio successfully woos Katherine. Eventually Baptista accepts Lucentio for Bianca but wants Lucentio's father to confirm Lucentio's wealth.
Petruchio and Katherine marry but it proves to be an ill fated decision. Back in Padua, Lucentio is to marry Bianca.
Vincentio learns of Lucentio's marriage.
Now in Padua, Vincentio wishes to see his son to be denied this by both Pedant impersonating Vincentio and Tranio impersonating Lucentio. They even try to have the real Vincentio arrested. Lucentio and Bianca declare their marriage, infuriating Baptista and the real Vincentio alike. Eventually all decide to accept and celebrate the three marriages.
Cast List
| LUCENTIO | Son to Vincentio | LAUREI VAN DER MERWE |
| TRANIO | Servant to Lucentio | NEVILLE DUBOW |
| BAPTISTA | Rich gentlemen of Padua | SHOLTO GRANT |
| GREMIO | A suitor to Bianca | ALEC BELL |
| KATHARINA | Elder daughter to Baptista | CECILIA SONNENBERG |
| HORTENSIO | A suitor to Bianca | JOEL KLEY |
| BIANCA | Younger sister to Baptista | DOROTHY FELBERT |
| BIONDELLO | Servant to Lucentio | LESLIE HURST |
| PETRUCHIO | A gentlemen of Verona | DICK LEFTWICH |
| GRUMIO | Servant to Petruchio | LESLIE FRENCH |
| CURTIS | Servant to Petruchio | SAVILLE WEINBERG |
| TAILOR | ANDRE REVNER | |
| TRAVELING PENDANT OF MUNTUNA | VINCENT DOYLE | |
| VINCENTIO | PHILIP STAINER | |
| A WIDOW | JESS AUERBACH | |
| LADIES IN WAITNIG | SYLVIA ATKINSON; CAROL COCHRAN, ANN BAIN, CORRINE STARK |
|
| OTHERS | BEVERLY WATKINS, LAETITIA TOEREN, ESTELLE LE SEUER, KENNETH KITSON, STEPHEN DE VILLIERS, BRIAN HARGROVE, BEVERLEY PASCALL, VERONICA ESTERHUIZEN, YVONNE DE WET, MARTIN RAYNER, ANDRE REVNA |
Creative List
| STAGE DIRECTOR | FITZ MORLEY |
| STAGE MANAGER | PHILIP STAINER |
| ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER | CAROL COHRAN |
| SET | G. CAPPON |
| WARDROBE MISTRESS | MIRIAN JACOBSOHN |
| COSTUMES | MIRIAM JACOBSOHN |
| CHOREOGRAPHY | JEANE HORNE |
| LIGHTING BY | HANSEN ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES |
| MUSIC ARRANGED BY | ROSABEL WATSON |
