Writer: William Shakespeare
Director: Zak Rosen and Paige Hann
The Taming of the Shrew is one of William Shakespeare’s problem plays. The main female character, Katherina, is known to be a strong female character. She knows her mind and value and is stubborn. When she marries Petruchio, he sets out to ‘tame’ her, which we now recognise as coercive control. By the end of the play, she is tamed and is shown obeying her husband in front of her family and friends.
In this hilarious twist, Zak Rosen and Paige Hann have adapted the play for a more modern and mature audience, bringing this Shakespearean work fully into the 21st century. In this adaptation, Katherina ( Hann) is just as stubborn and strong-minded as her 16th-century counterpart. Petruchio ( Rosen) is the one who gets a new persona as a sub in this BDSM-inspired adaptation.
As there are only two actors, to move the story along, there is an audio recording that occasionally plays. This recording is used by the actors to have conversations with off-screen characters. They also use this recording to fill the void as the two main characters go off stage for a scene change. This is a nice idea to help fill the space, but there is a lack of connection between the two actors and the overhead voices. It is hard to match lines with a prerecorded audio, and while the two actors do well at making sure there is no overlap, there is a loss of witty wordplay by the in-person actors. In addition, there are numerous moments when the stage is set in darkness, and no one is on stage. Though these moments are brief, there are enough of them to notice and make note. Fixing the flow and perhaps adding just one additional actor might give this play new life and even out these awkward moments.
In regard to the language, both actors miss their lines on occasion, though this is due to the two of them enjoying the humour of the moment they are in, and they recover nicely each time. Both do a good job with their monologues and interact with the audience well.
Though this production is rough around the edges, it is fun. There is a good amount of engagement with the audience, and the two create plenty of laughter on stage. Shakespeare’s plays are repeated so much that it is refreshing to see a unique take on The Taming of the Shrew. By creating a more equal power basis between the two, Kate and Petruchio develop into a loving couple who work on their character flaws and become better people. There is also a very powerful scene where Kate practices standing up to her father for his attitude towards her.
Reviewed on 17 February 2026
