Love at first sight, sibling rivalry, sexual tension and fatherly love charged the 1998 production of Taming of the Shrew by our very own University of Waterloo Drama Department. A controversial play for our time, the Taming of the Shrew has often been labelled chauvinistic and demeaning towards women. Lloy Coutts, director, handled controversy by looking at Kate's transformation as one motivated by love and not by abuse. A wild and bitter Kate becomes a caring wife who discover independence and dignity by allowing herself to love
Adding a unique element to this already controversial play is the creation of an induction written by Lloy Coutts in collaboration with students. The play began in Giovanna's restaurant in 1998 Italy with the arrival of a troupe of starving actors. In exchange for food the actors put on a personal show for Giovanna's pleasure. Giovanna occasionally interjected, adding in her own commentaries from a 1990's view point. Set in 1962, Italy, the Taming of the Shrew deals with a father's dilemma of marrying off his two daughters. Bianca, the younger compliant daughter, is besieged by suitors but Kate, the elder embittered daughter, is hard pressed to find a husband. The father determined to marry off his daughters will not give Bianca's hand in marriage until Kate is wed. Petruchio, initially enticed by Kate's dowry, marries her but soon find love in her strength and beauty.
The University of Waterloo Drama Department's production of Taming of the Shrew was not to be missed. Comic twists, battle of wit, and conflicts between the sexes inject this play with high intensity and action.
Making a Fool
A Wedding
Unimpressed in a Wedding Dress
An Argument with Wrist Grabbing
A Mismatched Outfit
A Kiss
Pulling Hair
Teaching a Lesson
Talking about Love
Alone on a Bridge
Making a Fool
A Wedding
Unimpressed in a Wedding Dress
An Argument with Wrist Grabbing
A Mismatched Outfit
A Kiss
Pulling Hair
Teaching a Lesson
Talking about Love
Alone on a Bridge
Making a Fool
Winter 1998 Production
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by: Lloy Coutts
Performances: March 11-14, 1998 at 8 p.m.
Venue: Theatre of the Arts, Modern Languages Building
Cast
Giovanna - Claudine Albreish
Child - Andrew Botros
Grumio - Bart Cormier
Pedant - Jonathan Dietrich
Petruchio - Norm Freind
Biondella - Rhonda Gilson-Deer
Lucentio - Brad Goddard
Petruchio’s Servant - Christian Johnson
Vincentio - Asad Kaspar
Petruchio’s Servant - Alex Lamont
Petruchio’s Servant - Trish Lanc
Tranio - Cyrus Lane
Kate - Aine Magennis
Baptista - Dave Mitchell
Curtis - Stephanie Morson
Baptista’s Servant - Erin Murphy
Bianca - Emily Oriold
Child - Sally Prosser
Petruchio’s Servant - Andrew Renner
Tailor - Heather Roberts
Gina/Haberdasher - Melissa Roe
Hortensio - Misha Rybalov
Widow - Catherine Seeback
Gremio - Sean Vivian
Petruchio’s Servant - Heather Wilford
Creative Team
Director - Lloy Coutts
Set Designer – Bill Chesney
Costume Designer – Jocelyne Sobeski
Lighting Designer – David James
Production Team
Stage Manager – Danna Evans
Assistant Stage Managers – Bettina Gaspar, Pat Race, Vicki Sloan
Technical Director – Scott Spidell, Terry Tremeer
Production Manager - Angela Marshall
Assistant Production Manager – Marla Posthuma
Carpentry Head – Cyrus Lane
LX Head – Rob Paul
Carpentry/Lighting Crew – Brad Goddard, Erin Kell, Alex Lamont, Beth Wingert
Wardrobe Crew – Joanna Black, Allison Bobor, Rhonda Gilson-Deer, Margaret McKnight, Heather Wilford
Scenic Painting Head – Margaret McKnight
Scenic Painting Crew – Allison Bobor, Erin Kell, Sharon Kelly, Trisha Lanc, Aine Magennis
Sound Head – Greg Leclair
Sound Crew – Marla Posthuma
Props Head – Sandy Burke
Props Crew - Trisha Lanc, Andrew Renner
Publicity – Joyce Hahn
Publicity Head – Sharon Kelly
Publicity Crew – Bettina Gasper, Aine Magennis, Heather Wilford