Mar 21-31: The Taming Of The Shrew, TWU

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
By William Shakespeare

March 21 -31
Wed-Sat

Evenings: 8pm
Saturday matinees: 2pm

Freedom Hall, Trinity Western University

Tickets:
Adults: $12
Students & seniors: $10
*Opening night and matinees: 2 for 1

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21 and FRIDAY, MARCH 23 PERFORMANCES ALREADY SOLD OUT! BOOK YOUR TICKETS SOON!

For more info or to purchase tickets online, visit our website:
www.twu.ca/theatre

For directions to campus, visit:
http://www.twu.ca/campus/directions/

For directions to Freedom Hall once you arrive on campus, visit:
http://www.twu.ca/campus/map/

For details on the show, see below:

THEATRE AT TWU TRAVELS TO 1950’S ITALY FOR
The Taming of the Shrew

LANGLEY, B.C.

1950’s Italy. Sun in your eyes… Love in the air…. Cross-dressing in the piazza??!! Trinity Western University presents William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew in a production that rethinks this classic battle of the sexes as a meeting of the minds.

“Traditionally, this play focuses on gender conflict and many people see the “taming” of Kate as anti-feminist” says director Aaron Caleb. “Our production really messes with the usual gender stereotyping because I think the story is ultimately about people connecting. The personalities are what give the play its spark and its humour.”

Caleb has blurred the gender distinctions to rework the script for his mostly female cast. This production has: female characters that were originally male, females playing males who disguise themselves as females, females who play both male and female roles, and males portraying male characters who masquerade as females. Confused yet? That’s all right, since Caleb believes the play is all about confusion and connection.

Two Abbotsford natives are among the women who play men in this production. Fourth year theatre major Laura Van Dyke plays the male servant Grumio (who disguises himself as a woman in one scene) and second year student Jenni Fischer plays both a young boy and an old woman.

“In order to play the role, I found I had to completely transform my body,” Van Dyke says. “My walk became much more grounded and solid, my voice changed. I even feel stronger!” Fischer agrees, “Playing both a boy and a woman makes you very aware of your physical choices,” she says. “It has been fun to explore the different ways age and gender affect movement and to try to incorporate that in these characters.”

Fast-paced, fun and full of physical comedy, The Taming of the Shrew features stunning 1950s fashions by award-winning costume designer Nicole Bach. The range of styles in that decade provided ample opportunity for Bach to create a distinctive look for each character that displays her obvious love for the period.

The Taming of the Shrew features Jackie Faulkner as Katherina, John Voth as Petruchio, Rebecca Branscom as Bianca, Thomas Gage as Lucentio and Laura Van Dyke as Grumio. Completing the cast are Daniel Cloake, Jenni Fischer, Amanda Hart, Matthew Nauta, Holly Pillsbury, Laura Taylor, and Robert Steinkamp. The design team is Nicole Bach (costumes), Lora-Lynne Frewing, (lighting) and Aaron Caleb, who furthered his directorial vision by designing a sun-drenched Italian piazza for the set. The Stage Manager is Victoria Thompson, assisted by Carrie Waterton and Erin Mahoney.