Commedia! - Taming of the Shrew - American Conservatory Theater - 1976 PART 11

[@acegently]

Again, I can't understand why, but this is just gets to my heart. So simply sweet and undeniably full of emotion. Modern language has nothing like this.

[@craigallenheath]

So glad you enjoyed it. It really gets to me too, every time, and I've watched it many times over the years. And yes, the language is the center of it, something not created today but at least we still have it preserved. Thanks for watching!

[@acegently]

Makes me cry. Thanks

[@StevenCampbell1955]

Was there ever such a fine production? Bravo this company.

[@craigallenheath]

I've never seen its equal. Thanks for watching!

[@StevenCampbell1955]

I have watched this production three times completely and parts of it more often. I now catch my breath with the actors after their parries. I cheer at times. It has brought me to tears of laughter with alternate bouts of emotional upwellings for the love scenes. How do I express my gratitude for such gifts? Perhaps I should write to my old school masters who introduced me to Shakespeare as an unwilling participant in all things intellectual? Grade 8 boys are still reticent to leave their playground activities to crawl like snails over lumpy books. Perhaps I should , in my turn introduce my children and my grand children to Shakespeare? I did. I have. What I will do is to recommend above all other efforts. It is my business to show them all this most prised production, the gift of language and record of life. Those who do not pretend to like it, I shall firstly shake then threaten to cut from my own WILL. Perhaps. Much the same method of my introduction, through Lear.. " You, Boy." THE stern preceptor's finger indicating an uncouth youth with tousled hair falling over his low brow. He who would be lest expected to volunteer. " You will read as the fool. Begin."

[@eleanorwilliams769]

It makes me wonder if any of the cast, still living, is still active.

[@eleanorwilliams769]

My older sister and I played the sisters in this when we were sprigs of girls, but as the opposite of that which we were. My sister played the Fair Bianca, and I Kate the Shrew. My sister is the spirited one while I am actually the sweet. But all came right in the end when the role of Pertruchio was cast by non other than Jake, the boy who lived next door to us. I had a crush on him as large as the moon. My sister told me recently that she told the directors to cast us as our polar opposites was because they told her they were casting Jake, and she knew I liked him. So my sister really was being match maker for me. Jake and I are still together to this very day, we’re actually engaged. Funny thing is this is one of our favorite works by Shakespeare. Jake’s, my sister’s, and mine.

[@craigallenheath]

How wonderful that you were brought together by Shakespeare's work! Congrats and thanks for watching!

[@eleanorwilliams769]

Craig Heath you’re most welcome. We’ve been recast as the leads in Taming of the Shrew, many times sense. This last time, we were allowed to keep our costumes, of corse this was before Coronavirus hit.

[@mickey567]

this just made me cry ;) how sweet!!

[@englerrose]

What awesome crew of actors doing a wonderful justices to this play.

[@penvellyns]

Wow. I saw a great production of this at the Globe, but this just ... enchanted me. Thank you for sharing!

[@craigallenheath]

I've never seen better, myself. Glad you liied it!

[@najaleewebster8150]

This is a very good play

[@guineveregovea4019]

I like the wink

[@craigallenheath]

Great, isn't it? It gives her power she wouldn't have without it.

[@craigallenheath]

Great, isn't it? It gives her power she wouldn't have without it.

[@Isaakios82]

Nah. Her power is in the respect she gives her man. Ladies today won’t know such a love as he gives her because they resent rather than respect their husbands.

[@damiank3962]

This play has caused me nothing but pain in AP Lit

[@craigallenheath]

As a student or instructor? (or both?) I first read and discussed it in AP in 1975, and it was contentious then, but not "painful" per se. I can imagine things are different, and more difficult, today. FWIW, the way I've thought of the play itself (apart from any particular production), is that below the surface action, which is primarily to entertain, both Petruchio and Katherine are wounded people who are seeking the wrong thing at first, and end up finding the right thing quite by accident. He thinks he wants money, and she thinks she wants power, but they earn love instead, and that's enough. :) Such a plot is essential to comedy, especially classical comedy like Shakespeare, where all's well in the end despite the foolish actions of the characters. Think of poor Gremio at the end: "My cake is dough. But I'll in among the rest, out of all hope, but for my share of the feast." Even he gets a good meal when all is said and done. :) USD$0.02

[@acegently]

Also, I like Ray Wise. He's hott!

[@tantzer6113]

Why did she wink? To imply it was all an act?

[@craigallenheath]

I'm not sure, exactly - it's not in the stage directions. A director makes choices that put their stamp on the author's words. I didn't take it as all an act - more like she understands her own power, even in light of the famous final speech in which she - in Shakespeare's words - says she is second to her husband. The idea that a woman might "politically" defer to her husband, while getting what she wants anyway, is out of favor these days. But in my advanced age, I've come to believe the dynamic of accepting the male ego and dealing with it diplomatically is a valid marital arrangement. Thanks for watching - hope you liked it!

[@Isaakios82]

It’s because in this interpretation they had to do homage to feminism, which is hilarious. Kate’s argument is that men take the greater part of pains in this world, and they view the respect and agreeableness that a wife gives as her love for him. Feminism, as a species of Marxism, hates that because it thrives upon class struggle and views all inequality as unjust.

[@mariibabyy]

I believe so

[@1Blanchot]

Wherever did you get the video of this production?

[@brendan-kailerlieb4347]

The production was filmed for PBS and later released on video cassette.

[@desigeekchishi]

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