Review: Taming of the Shrew at HOME is ‘a rebellious reclaiming of the Shakespearian classic’

HOME Theatre welcomes a riotous and radical reimagining of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

The show is as subversive as it is hilarious, brought to life entirely by a powerhouse cast of women from HER Productions. With a bold cabaret twist, this all-female show injects new life, laughter, and meaning into a centuries-old text, while holding a mirror to both Shakespeare’s world and our own.

The Taming of the Shrew at HOME

The performance kicks off with a drunken man, Sly, who is plucked from obscurity by the sinister seeming group of women on stage. They convince him he’s not a lowly drunk, but a noble lord, setting the stage for a play within a play.

What follows is an unpredictable retelling of the classic story of Katerina and Bianca, daughters of a wealthy merchant in Padua. Their father has decreed that no one can marry the sweet Bianca until her headstrong shrew of a sister Katerina is wed.

Thus a challenge that sparks a series of manipulations, disguises, and battles of wit.

‘pulsing with feminist energy’

This version pulses with a feminist energy, teasing out the play’s darker implications while simultaneously sending up its absurdities with irreverent humour.

There’s frequent breaking of the fourth wall, where actors playfully drop into their northern accents, wink at the audience, or comment on the play’s events even engaging for the audience’s opinion.

Fans of the 90’s classic “10 Things I Hate About You” will spot some of the songs from the film, which is also based off the original Shakespeare play.

Many of the songs in the show range from classical interludes to early 2000s R&B bangers, having many of the audience members engaging in singing with the actors.

One of the show’s standout moments is a brilliant parody version of Chicago’s “Cell Block Tango,” but Shrew edition, which brought in a lot of laughs from the crowd.

A simple set drawing focus on the performances

The set is simple, bringing focus on the characters and performances. At centre stage is a pole used by the cast in both comedic and dramatic moments, often for some pole dancing from the girls.

The costumes are provocative, with lingerie and corsets creating a stark and humorous contrast when actresses are suppose to be playing male roles.

This playful blurring of gender adds to the show’s subversive edge, as well as its humour.

Emily Spowage’s Petruchio is a masterclass in transformation. She commands the stage with menace, embodying the role so completely that it’s easy to forget the gender reversal.

Her Petruchio is bold, brutal, and occasionally chilling which creates a portrayal that prompts genuine discomfort. It’s a powerful performance that doesn’t shy away from the text’s more controversial themes.

Mia Gibson brings true comedic energy to her role with her exaggerated facial expressions and delightfully over-the-top delivery inject the production with an infectious silliness.

She breaks tension with a wildly animated gesture, constantly inviting the audience to laugh along with the chaos unfolding on stage.

This production reclaims space for women in a play originally performed by all-male casts.

During Shakespeare’s time, women were banned from the stage, a fact this show flips entirely on its head.

Watching an all-female cast embody every role, from drunken lords to arrogant suitors, adds layers of meaning, humour, and empowerment to the performance.

It’s a celebration of what women can do with Shakespeare when given the spotlight.

This version of The Taming of the Shrew is not just a reinterpretation but it’s a rebellious reclaiming of the text. It’s loud, lewd, fiercely funny, and terribly sad.

If you think you know The Taming of the Shrew, think again.

This one is for the misfits, the feminists, and anyone who loves their Shakespeare with a shot of sass and sensuality.

Tickets for Taming of the Shrew at HOME

Taming of the Shrew is at HOME from Tuesday 27th of May to Saturday 31st of May.

You can get tickets by clicking here