Theatre
The Taming of the Shrew?
Botanic Gardens, Glasgow
Marianne Gunn
four stars
A BARD in the Botanics season about "headstrong women" could hardly ignore the problematic tale of Katherina the Shrew, and director Gordon Barr has come up with a clever solution in this impressive adaptation. By incorporating some of John Fletcher's "The Tamer Tamed, or The Woman's Prize" he has given a voice to the silenced and chastened women of Shakespeare's arguably most misogynist tract and allowed Kate – and even oft-portrayed insipid Bianca – some kind of retribution and female emancipation. (Do note the question mark in the title, however.)
This might sound like a heavy night of al fresco theatre but Barr's deft directorial touches, such as Doris Day style 1950s soundtrack (akin to last year's Twelfth Night) and pop art pastel-hued set, featuring the most outrageous and out-moded anti-feminist advertising campaigns, balance things out. There are plenty of gallus Scots phrases and camp physical humour too, to keep it light and bright with plenty of spanking.
The cast is pretty perfect with a fantastic double act from Stephanie McGregor and James Boal as the fighters-turned-lovers. McGregor's rubber-faced acting is perfect for the feisty yet fragile character who, aptly, comes out on top; Boal brings a masculine presence which was best appreciated by this female audience member when his character recognised the error of his ways. In the ensemble, Beth Marshall was suitably regal as Baptista Minola, while Finlay McLean was an endearing Gremio.
If the second half could have done with a little bit of a trim, that view was mainly influenced by Saturday night's inclement weather as strong winds and plummeting temperatures are not conducive to a wholly contented audience. The wind also impacted on the audibility of some of the dialogue, but this was a minor quibble. Wrap up warmly – and enjoy the Shakespearean delights of the Scottish summer.
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