Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 41 No. 18. July 24 1978
Drama Preview — Shakespeare Performance
Drama Preview
Shakespeare Performance
To coincide with the Shakespeare Festival Fancy's Child now running at Downstage Theatre, Victoria University Drama Studies department is presenting The Taming of the Shrew as its major production for this year.
The play, directed by David Carnegie, will be presented in its entirety including the often cut 'Christopher Sly' scenes. The story of Kale and Petruchio is presented as a play-within-a-play by an all female cast performing in the style of commedia dell'arte.
Commedia dell'arte was an extravagant and exuberant style of performance popular in Italy from the 16th to 18th centuries. It incorporates wild and colourful costumes, grotesque masks, and a broad, exaggerated, comic acting style.
With this basic approach and the energy and enthusiasm of those students taking part, the production promises to be an exciting, lively and very entertaining treatment of one of Shakespeare's best known comedies.
The Taming of the Shrew opens at Drama House, 93 Kelburn Parade, on Tuesday 1st August at 8 pm and runs each night until the 6th. There will be one matinee on Sunday 6th August at 2 pm. Because of limited seating capacity, students are advised to book by ringing 721-000 ext 693 between 9 am and 5 pm.