The Taming of the Shrew

Following the successful staged reading of the play as part of the SNFCC’s Parabases series, director Eva Vlassopoulou returns to this timeless tale of love, power, and transformation, joined by a charismatic ensemble of actors: Vangelis Abatzis, Manos Vavadakis, Stella Vogiatzaki, Panagiotis Exarcheas, Grigoris Ballas, Katerina Patsiani, and Aineias Tsamatis.

With minimal staging and a fresh theatrical lens, they present a summer performance in the Park that is accessible and open to all. The production features the iconic Greek translation by Katerina Angelaki-Rooke and is adapted by Ektoras Lygizos.

In Padua of the 1600s, Signor Baptista decides not to marry off his sought-after daughter Bianca before a husband is found for his first-born daughter Katherina. Sweet Lucentio falls madly in love with Bianca, while the rough Petruchio has his eyes on Katherina’s dowry and sets out to tame the headstrong young woman.

One of Shakespeare’s most peculiar and controversial comedies, where the usually romantic and lyrical tone is replaced by the cruelty and cynicism of a world that treats women as products for commercial exploitation and/or as wild beards to be tamed.

Is it a comedic exploitation, on the part of the poet, of the social stereotypes of his time? Or is The Taming of the Shrew an acerbic satire on misogyny and patriarchy?