The Taming of the Shrew - Tickets

(1935 Ratings)

Witness a refreshing rendition of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. The play reverses roles and is set in a matriarchal society, putting women in control instead of men. This spirited comedy is one of the trickiest plays to bring out on stage, but Justin Audibert does a stellar job in underscoring the wit and humour of production!

why you should watch the taming of the shrew

Justin Audibert, the director of this play, is the artistic director of the famous Unicorn Theatre. His previous works include the critically acclaimed Snow in Midsummer. His adaptation of the Taming of the Shrew is a highly gender-based comedy. It showcases the talents of Joseph Arkley, Charlotte Arrowsmith, Hannah Azuonye, Melody Brown, James Cooney, Richard Clews, Amanda Harris, Emily Johnstone, Laura Elsworthy and Amelia Donkor. This ensemble brings out the humour of the play and tackles the problems of misogyny in a rib-tickling yet tactful manner that is executed tastefully. The production is delivered well, highlighting the imbalance in the power in the relationship and the injustice. It explores a world where half the people are holding all the power and the consequences of viewing people as property. It also shows how rare it is for a Shakespeare play to have a mostly female cast. The mostly female cast is reflected even in the creative team with Hannah Clarke on Costumes and Ruth Chan for music.

The Story

The Taming of the Shrew is a story that has had numerous adaptations. Some of the notable films are ‘10 Things I Hate About You’, which starred Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger, and ‘Kiss Me, Kate’ which starred Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. This play, however, has an interesting twist on the classic tale. It switches it up by putting the women in charge. The original was often believed to be misogynistic and quite controversial. The story, therefore, revolves around a strong and front-footed woman taming a man in this play. Audibert’s version sets things straight, resulting in a hilarious depiction of social order and control.

Good For

Date Night | Fans of Shakespeare | Lovers of Comedies

cancellation policy

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

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Show Details

The show will run for a limited season from 5th of November, 2019 to the 18th of January, 2020.

Show Timings

Selected Dates (check the calendar)	7:15 PM
9th, 21st, and the 30th of November, 12th, 23rd, and 31st of December, and the 2nd and 18th of January.	1:15 PM

There is also an audio-described and captioned performance on the 17th of December at 7:15 PM.

Leading Roles
Joseph Arkley as Katherine
Charlotte Arrowsmith as Curtis
Hannah Azuonye as Pedant
Melody Brown as Vicentia

Directed by
Justin Audibert

Music by
Ruth Chan

Costumes by
Hannah Clarke

Additional Information

Duration
2 hours & 50 minutes with 1 intermission

Available Facilities
Wheelchair Accessible
In-house Bar
Coat Check

Seating
The Barbican Theatre has a seating capacity of nearly 1158 across 4 sections.

Outside Food
Strictly prohibited. If you'd like to grab a meal before or after the show, check out our guide to the 30 Best Restaurants in the Theater District.

Dress Code
Smart and casual wear is recommended. Keep in mind, the theater is air conditioned throughout the year and can get a bit chilly.

Important Information
Photo and video recording are not allowed during the show.
There is a free post-show talk on the 16th of December, 2019. A Weekend Lab led by the director will be held on the 18th and 19th of January, 2020.

my tickets

You will receive an email confirmation along with your mobile voucher shortly after you book the tickets. You will need to display a photo ID along with your voucher at the Theatre's Box Office to collect your tickets.

Theatre Address

Barbican, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS

Getting There

By Bus: Take bus lines 153 and get off at the Silk Street station. The theatre is a short 2-minute walk from this bus stop.

By Tube: Take the Underground to Barbican Station. The theatre is a short 5-minute walk from this station.

Validity
This ticket is valid for the date and time selected at the time of booking.