Sexism in the 16th Century: The Taming of the Shrew

Burbage Theatre Company’s production of the classic Shakespeare comedy The Taming of the Shrew begins with a truly inspired bit of trickery. To go into detail would ruin the surprise, so I will say no more. It has to be seen to be believed.

The story focuses on Petruchio (Jeff Church, who also directed) who courts Katherine (Mia Rocchio), the wild and headstrong shrew. At first, Katherine (referred to as Kate) fights Petruchio with every ounce of energy, until he restrains her with various manipulations — the taming — until she becomes a willing and subservient bride.

Meanwhile, a high-spirited competition rages between the suitors of Katherine’s more desirable sister, Bianca (Laine Wagner). They include Lucentio (Dillon Medina), Tranio (Jonathan Fisher), Gremio (Nathanael Lee) and Hortensio (Andrew Iacovelli). Roger Lemelin plays Baptista, the father of Katherine and Bianca, who desperately wants to find husbands for his daughters. There are many complications and deceptions, until all winds up happily – at least for the men.

The ensemble cast has tackled this material with joyful and infectious enthusiasm. They are clearly having a ball bringing Shakespeare’s story to life. Church has a manic gleam in his eye as Petruchio romances Katherine. Rocchio is a suitable match, as she fights off Petruchio’s overtures. They engage in a heated physical tussle, which must have been exhausting to rehearse. Fisher, Lee, Medina and Iacovelli bring the right amount of charm and spirit to their roles.

Like Burbage’s production of Julius Caesar last year, there are no sets for The Taming of the Shrew. The performers manage to draw an audience’s attention by their words and actions alone.

Notable and off-putting in the story is the rampant sexism inherent in the idea of taming a woman and bending her to a husband’s will. Tranio, Hortensio, Gremio and Petruchio all regard women as puppets to toy with and dominate rather than thinking creatures who have opinions on life or minds of their own. This  attitude may have been all too typical in the 16^th century when the play was written, but fortunately, we’ve evolved a bit.

This production of The Taming of the Shrew may be a little too manic for some people. The cast expends so much energy that it can be wearying at times. Shakespeare purists may scoff at the creative liberties taken, but most audiences will be satisfied with this contemporary take on the story.

The Taming of the Shrew runs through March 21. William Hall Library Auditorium, 1825 Broad St., Cranston. Tickets at BTCtheater@gmail.com.