The Taming of the Shrew


(4.8 stars; 9 reviews)

The Taming of the Shrew First broadcast: Fri 20th May 1988, 19:30 on BBC Radio 3 RTX 2005 The Taming of the Shrew: the controversial comedy about the battle of the sexes and a very unconventional marriage. Love and marriage are the concerns of Shakespeare’s  The Taming of the Shrew. Lucentio’s marriage to Bianca is prompted by his idealized love of an apparently ideal woman. Petruchio’s wooing of Katherine, however, is free of idealism. Petruchio takes money from Bianca’s suitors to woo her, since Katherine must marry before her sister by her father’s decree; he also arranges the dowry with her father. Petruchio is then ready to marry Katherine, even against her will. Music Composed By:..........Mia Soteriou Performed by..Tom Finucane.........Liz Stanbridge..... and the composer Technical Presentation By: Richard Beadsmoore....Rosamund Mason.......Keith Graham Directed By:.......Jeremy Mortimer Petruchio:………Bob Peck Katherina:……….Cheryl Campbell Katherina's father:……..Laurence Payne Bianca, her sister:……….Moir Leslie Suitors to Bianca Hortensio:………Douglas Hodge Gremio, an old man:……….Michael Deacon Lucentio, a gentleman of Pisa:……….Stephen Tompkinson Tranio, Lucentio's servant:……….Christopher Fairbank Pedant:……….John Baddeley Tailor:………..Simon Cuff Vincentio/Lord:………..Anthony Jackson Christopher Sly/Curtis:…………William Simons
Page:………..Richard Pearce Hostess/Widow:………….Linda Polan This hearty comedy has always been a favourite with audiences. Three suitors pursue Bianca Minola, but her father won’t let her marry until her older sister, Katherine, is married. Kate is wilful, loud, volatile and above all, shrewish. Her suitor Petruchio is stern, jolly, and somewhat odd. A match made in heaven?

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.