The Taming of the Shrew, Brownsea Open Air Theatre (From Bournemouth Echo)

The Taming of the Shrew, Brownsea Open Air Theatre

11:46am Thursday 22nd July 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

JUST when you think Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton had it all sewn up nicely, along comes BOAT director Denise Mallender’s Taming of the Shrew.

Justin Sellick excels as the bawdy Petruchio, assaulting his audience cheerfully and relentlessly with a dynamite larger than life performance that pulls laughs right off the page left right and centre. . . not to mention carrying off a particular costume (which for audiences yet to experience the full frontal costume charge shall remain nameless) with obvious enjoyment.

Joanne Owen plays the shrewish Katherina with saucy sass, and is offset delightfully by Katy Witchell’s minx-ish interpretation of Bianca. Their long suffering father Baptista is endearingly portrayed by Harry Susser.

Stuart Glossop seamlessly skips with between his three parts (Lord Mortain, Gremio and Merchant) with aplomb, whilst Brian Woolton gleefully renders his audiences to stitches with his flamboyant interpretation of Tranio disguised as his master Lucentio.

David Weaks gives a lovely performance as the drunken Christopher Sly and Chris Carr’s mesmerising performance as Biondello was hilarious, whilst Christopher Cherrett’s portrayal of the determined lover Luciento is charming. Pete Griffith’s roguish Grumio was a hero, taking his cuffs and knocks with quick wit, whilst Sam Stevenson and Scott McGarrick give strong performances in all their multiple guises.

The masterful set was simple and effective, whilst Christine Orridge’s team excelled themselves on the costume front, and the sound and lighting were impeccable.

A riotous romp of an evening, if you get the chance to go, jump at it!