Our History
The Taming of the Shrew
17 Mar – 9 Apr 1994
Deborah Mailman as Katherina, 1994.
Image by Sesh Raman.
Venue
La Boite Theatre, Brisbane
Producer
La Boite Theatre
Director
Sue Rider
Playwright
William Shakespeare
Cast
Charles Barry
Andrew Buchanan
Michael Forde
Kathryn Lister
Barbara Lowing
Deborah Mailman
Lesley Marller
Stephen Ross
Costume Designer
Christopher Smith
Set Designer
Christopher Smith
Lighting Designer
Matthew Scott
The Taming of the Shrew
Unanimously well-received by critics, The Taming of the Shrew directed by Sue Rider in an Australian context was considered a landmark production and featured indigenous actresses Deborah Mailman and Lesley Marller as Katherina and Baptista respectively.
Alison Cotes wrote in the Brisbane Review (March 22, 1994): “This production … is the most energetic and intelligent Shakespeare I’ve seen in a long time. It’s a glorious romp full of raw energy and raunchy knockabout farce and glorious wit, and the audience was with the cast every inch of the way”.
This production was one of a number of plays in which Rider employed blind racial casting . Others included Freedom Ride, The Taming of the Shrew, Low and Romeo and Juliet.
Writer: Christine Comans
#Gallery
Courtesy QPAC Museum.
Lesley Marller & Charles Barry.
Courtesy Sue Rider. Image by Sesh Raman.
The Taming of the Shrew on tour, 1994.
Courtesy Sue Rider. Image by Sesh Raman.
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