The Taming of the Shrew

By Robert Iles - 4th May 2006

The Bristol Old Vic has an enviable reputation for producing exciting drama so I was looking forward to seeing this 'Shrew'. Sure enough there was a splendid cast and a versatile and interesting set ... but somehow, director Anne Tipton, has failed to get it all to gel. I think a lot of it was down to pacing ... when the words were flowing fast and furious you could feel the audience relax and get involved ... but there were too many opportunities to stop and think while entrances were made, scenes were changed or the pace was simply slowed down - and with a play like this the last think an audience should be given is thinking time!

We were treated to some excellent visual comedy from Barry Aird and Jack Blumenau and I continue to enjoy watching Nick Caldecott on stage ... indeed I couldn;t fault any of the acting with a trully fiery Kate from Flora Montgomery, a very enjoyable Petruchio from Richard Dillane and Kenny Ireland's well rounded Baptista! Oh and that very clever table in the final scene, whose entrance entranced us all!

I was unconvinced by the musical score, loud and out of keeping - and I think I'm getting a thing about scene breaks, I like them to be slick and visible especially in a play like this with lots of them and the need to keep the pace up. Apart from that, a workmanlike if not wholly memorable production. As someone sitting behind me said "it's very funny, but it hasn't actually made me laugh yet".