DATE AND VENUE

25, 26, 27.05.2000, 20.30, Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage

THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

• Written by: William Shakespeare
• Directed by: Lindsay Posner

As a part of the “Britain - Turkey” 2000 project, the 12th International Istanbul Theatre Festival hosts one of Britain’s world-renowned theatre groups, the Royal Shakespeare Company. Of all Shakespeare’s plays , “The Taming of the Shrew” is probably the one most guarenteed to raise hackles and spark off debate (alright, arguments) - which is no doubt the secret of its popularity. It’s been rediscovered and reinterpreted by one generation after another, played as a misogynist’s character and a feminist tract and, in the case of one famous off-screen partnership, a close reflection of their own home life. How do you like your shrews? Bad-tempered grouch heading for a well-deserved spinsterhood? Basically nice-girl frustrated by spoilt sibling? And what about Petruchio - is he whip-cracking macho man, or really a caring sharing type who sees through to the “real” Kate and teaches her to like herself? And how should that wretched final scene be played? If you think Linsay Posner’s new RSC production of “Shrew” needed a big screen to bring it into the twenty-first century, wait tillyou see this - rumour has it that Petruchio comes to wive it wealthily on the Internet.