Baptista (Paull-Anthony Keightley) is at his wit’s end – Hortensio (Michael Allpress) and Lucentio (Daniel Mullaney) are ardent suitors for the hand of his daughter Bianca (Carly Power), but his elder daughter Katherine (Isabelle Freeman) is so strong-minded and carries such a reputation for violent outbursts that he fears he will never marry her off.
Petruchio (Alexander Sefton) returns from the wars with his servant Grumio (Nicholas Maclaine), hears of Katherine’s temper and of Baptista’s wealth, and decides to take on ‘taming the shrew’ as good, profitable sport. Baptista gives his conditional blessing to Petruchio’s suit, and leaves him to meet and woo the headstrong Kate. Petruchio spars with Katherine and declares himself well-satisfied, naming a wedding date and convincing Baptista that he has Kate’s consent. Kate’s experience of marriage is a purposefully humiliating experience, as Petruchio arrives late to the wedding in ridiculous garb, refuses her attendance at the feast and then contradicts her in every way possible, while withholding food, drink and rest, until her famous spirit is broken. Katherine finds herself questioning everything and determines to follow the word and will of her lord husband, becoming an exemplary wife and winning Petruchio’s true affections.
Sefton has a commanding stage presence, allowing his swagger and remarkable manoeuvres with an outsized codpiece to fit in their place without overshadowing his strong voice work. The only quibble with Sefton’s performance was that his diction was not all it might have been – while not truly an issue with a surtitled opera, it was nonetheless noticeable given the clarity of the pronunciation of the other leading performers.
Freeman and Sefton blended well in their several duets, Freeman’s strong voice complementing the fearsome strength and violence of her character. Power played Bianca as a veritable minx, and again her fine vocals contrasted with the gutsier stylings of Freeman’s Kate. Allpress and Mullaney demonstrated dedicated vocal training as well as excellent comic timing, with Allpress’ Hortensio a gem of physical comedy. The most interesting player was Maclaine as Grumio; limited by the role in displays of singing virtuosity, his animated acting lit up each scene, with his inspired facial and physical expressions suggesting a more slender, spry and intelligent Orlando Bloom.
Goetz’s score was written very much in Mozart’s operatic style, lending the work an instantly familiar air. Highly listenable melodies were presented by a more than competent orchestra, conducted by Brett Weymark, with sound levels well-controlled and adequate venue acoustics.
Stage design and costumes were sumptuously done, with fine details not hindering an efficient stage crew from shifting scenes promptly. Lighting was done unobtrusively, working deftly with the action and the changes in pace. Having servants light individual sconces at the back of the scene was a particularly delightful touch, and showed some of the thought that has gone into the preparation of the work as a whole.
Chuck Hudson has worked with some fine young talent to bring out their best, presenting a version of The Taming of the Shrew that is pleasing to the ear and eye, tickles one’s sense of whimsy, and keeps the audience smiling and talking after the show is over.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
The Taming of the Shrew
By Herman Goetze
Directed by Chuck Hudson
Conducted by Brett Weymark
Set Designer: Elizabeth Wratten
Costume Designer: Lauren Ross
Lighting Designer: Emily Telfer
Sound Designer: Sebastian Roussel
Performed by WAAPA Classical Vocal and Music students
Shiraz Cast (reviewed): Alexander Sefton, Isabelle Freeman, Carly Power, Daniel Mullaney, Michael Allpress, Paull-Anthony Keightley, Nicholas Maclaine, Daniela Jedrejczak, Rebecca Bunn, Lachlann Lawton
Merlot Cast (alternate nights): Matthew Reardon, Georgia Kokkoris, Claire Condipodero, Richard Symons, Michael Allpress, Christian Gillett, Nicholas Maclaine, Daniela Jedrejczak, Rebecca Bunn, Lachlann Lawton
Ensemble of Servants and Guests: Adam Newman, Albertina Antartis, Allannah Woods, Allysha Cleeman, Amy Manford, Amy Yarham, Andrea Ross, Bonnie de la Hunty, Cameron Taylor, Casey Hodgins, Catherine Rosman, Chelsea Kluga, Corinne Cowling, Daniella Sicari, Daniella Jedrzejczak, Esther Counsel, Finn Gilheannuy, Grace Edwards, Jacqueline Keogh, James Penn, Jason Kroll, Lauren Fraser, Melissa Franke, Rebecca Bunn, Robin Fletcher, Ry Charleson, Samuel Skuthorpe, Valerie Tan and Yasmin Powell
The Geoff Gibbs Theatre, Edith Cowan University, Mount Lawley
13 – 20 October
