The Taming of the Shrew - Globe

[Talisman]

I would be most interested to know if anyone can explain

    the thinking behind the puppets
    the relevance of the teddy bear set
    the overall concept 

Despite knowing the play well, I was somewhat perplexed.

[cavocado]

Jun 16, 2024 12:41:03 GMT Talisman said:

I would be most interested to know if anyone can explain

    the thinking behind the puppets
    the relevance of the teddy bear set
    the overall concept 

Despite knowing the play well, I was somewhat perplexed.

I'm waiting for reviews before booking - press night on Tuesday. Maybe the reviews will help answer your questions if nobody else replies.

[Talisman]

Wait for reviews before booking as it is far from what one might expect

[nash16]

It could be a contender for worst show/“director’s take” at the Globe.

Those poor actors.

[kate8]

Oh dear, I was quite keen to see this as it’s not a Shakespeare that is done very often, but I‘ll hang onto my money unless there are big discounts - quite likely I’d imagine.

[ladidah]

puppets?!

[Talisman]

Jun 17, 2024 10:42:41 GMT ladidah said:

puppets?!

[Talisman]

Several of main characters have puppet like creations that they hold in front of themselves, animating mouths while speaking their lines. I couldn’t see why this was done.

A clever use was made of Christopher Sly throughout.

The stage is dominated by a gigantic inflatable teddy bear, the relevance of which I would like to ascertain.

[ThereWillBeSun]

It’s my favourite Shakespeare and I’ve seen around 7/8 productions. Thanks for the intel ^ 😝

[Phantom of London]

Well this is a first for me and after very careful consideration the show was very worthy of the one star I gave this. Taming the Shrew is a comedy and not a tragedy, seeing this production others will think otherwise.

As said on another thread the actress playing Katherina was playing the role with script in hand, which completely destroys her acting and interaction with other characters. The last 5 productions I have seen there was someone who had a script in hand, exceptions I made because of Covid and understood that because of the pandemic they had to replace actors at very short notice, but we are well past this now - actors need to learn their lines and the Globe need to pay understudies, they are not a poor organisation.

Someone posted on another thread that the Globe needs an AD who can make artistic decisions, I concur.

[ThereWillBeSun]

Script in hand? …

I have to agree that Michelle Terry’s tenure has been so uninspiring.

Shakespeare’s Globe need someone else, stat.

[oxfordsimon]

There must be actors out there who have played Kate before who could quickly get back up to speed with the lines

It's not performed as often some of the comedies, but there are actors who will know the part

And if this has been going on for a few days, the actor has had time to learn most of the lines.

Poor form

[Talisman]

I know of no other theatre that does on such a regular basis.

[ladidah]

That is appalling.

[NeilVHughes]

Missing the Dromgoole days, thought Terry would be a traditionalist but not really been impressed with any productions during her reign, from a regular attendee to not going at all last year, productions and casts on the whole have been underwhelming.

Will likely catch her RIII but in no great rush to book.

As it is primarily a tourist attraction where returnees are a small part of the clientele the quality of the productions is in reality immaterial and the Globe is always well attended.

[aspieandy]

So many tourists go there, I honestly feel the current regime - Board and AD - have damaged the reputation of London. Not the end of the world but word-of-mouth back home, etc.

[ladidah]

Surely tourists want to see something fun (much ado was great!) or traditional. Wacky puppets isn't for anyone.

[aspieandy]

They certainly believe they do righteous work at the Globe - the LGBTQetc and Woke themes, for example - but it's difficult to not think they are so lost in that commitment the (Shakespearean) platform.becomes misshapen, and ultimately undermined.

[Jon]

Jun 18, 2024 13:56:12 GMT aspieandy said:

So many tourists go there, I honestly feel the current regime - Board and AD - have damaged the reputation of London. Not the end of the world but word-of-mouth back home, etc.

That's a hyperbolic hot take, London isn't being damaged by Shakespeares's Globe

[Talisman]

Jun 18, 2024 14:30:14 GMT aspieandy said:

They certainly believe they do righteous work at the Globe - the LGBTQetc and Woke themes, for example - but it's difficult to not think they are so lost in that commitment the (Shakespearean) platform.becomes misshapen, and ultimately undermined.

I thought that I Joan and Henry viii worked very well but I agree in general. So often the efforts also result in very weak casting. 

[craigbowker]

Jun 18, 2024 11:09:29 GMT NeilVHughes said:

Missing the Dromgoole days, thought Terry would be a traditionalist but not really been impressed with any productions during her reign, from a regular attendee to not going at all last year, productions and casts on the whole have been underwhelming.

Will likely catch her RIII but in no great rush to book.

As it is primarily a tourist attraction where returnees are a small part of the clientele the quality of the productions is in reality immaterial and the Globe is always well attended.

Would highly recommend Much Ado 

[Talisman]

Unless you are allergic to oranges!

[TallPaul]

Jun 18, 2024 14:34:48 GMT Jon said:

Jun 18, 2024 13:56:12 GMT aspieandy said:

So many tourists go there, I honestly feel the current regime - Board and AD - have damaged the reputation of London. Not the end of the world but word-of-mouth back home, etc.

That's a hyperbolic hot take, London isn't being damaged by Shakespeares's Globe

No, it's the rip-off prices for everything that have damaged London's reputation overseas...and all the stabbings.

[Talisman]

Press reviews for Shrew at Globe now appearing

[ladidah]

The telegraph review is hysterical, this production sounds truly deranged.