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The Taming of the Shrew- Original Practices

Presented by The Hidden Room Theatre

April 30-May 23, 2010

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Break ground with Austin’s first Original Practices Shakespearean production...

Shakespeare’s fiery masterpiece is performed by an all-male cast,with live musicians on period instruments, and exquisite costumes built with attention to period detail. The Taming of the Shrew is performed with the quick, muscular textual delivery andexuberant character-driven style of the Elizabethans, by accomplished classical actors.

The artists for the Taming of the Shrew come from such noted organizations as theSteppenwolf Theatre Company, Rude Mechanicals, Bedlam Faction, The Groundlings, Second City, Penfold Theatre Company, Austin Shakespeare, the London Academy for Music and Dramatic Art, and more.

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Venue Info

    311 W. 7th Street.

    
    Austin, TX

  • Admission Info

    Regular Ticket Info:

    Call or email for tix.

    Buy Tickets

  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    April 30-May 23, 2010

    Times:
    

    Fri & Sat 8pm

    
    

    Sun 5pm

  • Accessibility Info

    Currently, no accessibility information is available for this event.

  • Video & Image Gallery

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  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: The Taming of the Shrew- Original Practices
      "A Wonderful Show"
      Review posted by: Brian M from Cedar Park, May 09, 2010
      

      This is one of my favorite Shakespearian comedies, so I was looking forward to this production and I wasn't disappointed. It is obvious that a great deal of study and scholarship went into this... Expand

      This is one of my favorite Shakespearian comedies, so I was looking forward to this production and I wasn't disappointed. It is obvious that a great deal of study and scholarship went into this production and it paid off. The music, costuming, acting, pacing and direction are all top notch. Director Beth Burns assembled an outstanding cast, but the two stand outs in my mind are the actors who portray Kate and Bianca. Both men played their parts beautifully while managing to portray convincing - sincere - women; that can't be easy but they pulled it off beautifully. I HIGHLY recommend this show! Collapse

    • Event Name: The Taming of the Shrew- Original Practices
      "A bonny Kate"
      Review posted by: kholenkhov from Austin, TX, May 05, 2010
      

      We've become so used to seeing contemporary reinventions of Shakespeare's plays, that it's amusing to think that a production attempting to replicate the original performance practices of... Expand

      We've become so used to seeing contemporary reinventions of Shakespeare's plays, that it's amusing to think that a production attempting to replicate the original performance practices of Shakespeare's day would seem so revolutionary. By using male actors to play the women, Renaissance costumes, and universal lighting (not to mention reinstating the rarely performed Christopher Sly framing device) this production of Shrew allows the play to speak for itself. The result is a fascinating, rewarding, and most of all hugely entertaining affair. Ryan Crowder is the standout in the cast providing a passionate, well-spoken, and surprisingly sexy Katherine void of camp or caricature. However the entire cast of players perform brilliantly working together to tell the story. By placing the story in the context of Shakespeare's time, even the more misogynistic elements of the play become somewhat palatable. A must see for any lover of Shakespeare and an invaluable conversation starter. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Taming of the Shrew- Original Practices
      "Overall I really enjoyed this production"
      Review posted by: Beth from Austin, TX, May 03, 2010
      

      Clocking in at 2.5 hrs incl. intermission is quick for a Shakespeare play, but at times I found my mind starting to wander. My biggest problem was the breakneck speed at which it was performed. It... Expand

      Clocking in at 2.5 hrs incl. intermission is quick for a Shakespeare play, but at times I found my mind starting to wander. My biggest problem was the breakneck speed at which it was performed. It warned me in the program that it would be brisk (part of the original practices aim), but I yearned for a pause, a moment of stillness, a beat. After awhile at the same speed I tend to stop paying attention. Same with the constant movement of the actors & shuffling feet. Despite this, I did really like it. Costumes were gorgeous, as was the building and room in which it was performed. I laughed/smiled a lot. The live musicians were great. The actors as a whole had a good grasp on the language & were fully committed - esp. physically committed were R. Deike and J. Farris. But the show belonged to Ryan Crowder/Kate in a standout performance that was awesome to behold. I wished he/she would come back very soon every time he/she exited. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Taming of the Shrew- Original Practices
      "Entertaining and engaging"
      Review posted by: L.C. from Austin, TX, May 03, 2010
      

      A lot of fun! I was really drawn into the story and captivated by the level of believability of the characters, their quick paced interaction, and the engagement of the audience. Outstanding cast,... Expand

      A lot of fun! I was really drawn into the story and captivated by the level of believability of the characters, their quick paced interaction, and the engagement of the audience. Outstanding cast, authentic music and costumes. Great entertainment! Don't miss this one! Collapse

    • Event Name: The Taming of the Shrew- Original Practices
      "Fantastic!"
      Review posted by: Contessa from Austin, TX, May 03, 2010
      

      This was an AWESOME performance. The setting, the costumes, the music, and the actors were outstanding! This is not a performance to miss! Regardless of your feelings about Taming of the Shrew, GO... Expand

      This was an AWESOME performance. The setting, the costumes, the music, and the actors were outstanding! This is not a performance to miss! Regardless of your feelings about Taming of the Shrew, GO SEE THIS PRODUCTION!!! You won't be sorry! Collapse

• Media
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  • All Media Gallery

    Video | Images Images

• Member
  Reviews

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: The Taming of the Shrew- Original Practices
      "A Wonderful Show"
      Review posted by: Brian M from Cedar Park, May 09, 2010
      

      This is one of my favorite Shakespearian comedies, so I was looking forward to this production and I wasn't disappointed. It is obvious that a great deal of study and scholarship went into this... Expand

      This is one of my favorite Shakespearian comedies, so I was looking forward to this production and I wasn't disappointed. It is obvious that a great deal of study and scholarship went into this production and it paid off. The music, costuming, acting, pacing and direction are all top notch. Director Beth Burns assembled an outstanding cast, but the two stand outs in my mind are the actors who portray Kate and Bianca. Both men played their parts beautifully while managing to portray convincing - sincere - women; that can't be easy but they pulled it off beautifully. I HIGHLY recommend this show! Collapse

    • Event Name: The Taming of the Shrew- Original Practices
      "A bonny Kate"
      Review posted by: kholenkhov from Austin, TX, May 05, 2010
      

      We've become so used to seeing contemporary reinventions of Shakespeare's plays, that it's amusing to think that a production attempting to replicate the original performance practices of... Expand

      We've become so used to seeing contemporary reinventions of Shakespeare's plays, that it's amusing to think that a production attempting to replicate the original performance practices of Shakespeare's day would seem so revolutionary. By using male actors to play the women, Renaissance costumes, and universal lighting (not to mention reinstating the rarely performed Christopher Sly framing device) this production of Shrew allows the play to speak for itself. The result is a fascinating, rewarding, and most of all hugely entertaining affair. Ryan Crowder is the standout in the cast providing a passionate, well-spoken, and surprisingly sexy Katherine void of camp or caricature. However the entire cast of players perform brilliantly working together to tell the story. By placing the story in the context of Shakespeare's time, even the more misogynistic elements of the play become somewhat palatable. A must see for any lover of Shakespeare and an invaluable conversation starter. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Taming of the Shrew- Original Practices
      "Overall I really enjoyed this production"
      Review posted by: Beth from Austin, TX, May 03, 2010
      

      Clocking in at 2.5 hrs incl. intermission is quick for a Shakespeare play, but at times I found my mind starting to wander. My biggest problem was the breakneck speed at which it was performed. It... Expand

      Clocking in at 2.5 hrs incl. intermission is quick for a Shakespeare play, but at times I found my mind starting to wander. My biggest problem was the breakneck speed at which it was performed. It warned me in the program that it would be brisk (part of the original practices aim), but I yearned for a pause, a moment of stillness, a beat. After awhile at the same speed I tend to stop paying attention. Same with the constant movement of the actors & shuffling feet. Despite this, I did really like it. Costumes were gorgeous, as was the building and room in which it was performed. I laughed/smiled a lot. The live musicians were great. The actors as a whole had a good grasp on the language & were fully committed - esp. physically committed were R. Deike and J. Farris. But the show belonged to Ryan Crowder/Kate in a standout performance that was awesome to behold. I wished he/she would come back very soon every time he/she exited. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Taming of the Shrew- Original Practices
      "Entertaining and engaging"
      Review posted by: L.C. from Austin, TX, May 03, 2010
      

      A lot of fun! I was really drawn into the story and captivated by the level of believability of the characters, their quick paced interaction, and the engagement of the audience. Outstanding cast,... Expand

      A lot of fun! I was really drawn into the story and captivated by the level of believability of the characters, their quick paced interaction, and the engagement of the audience. Outstanding cast, authentic music and costumes. Great entertainment! Don't miss this one! Collapse

    • Event Name: The Taming of the Shrew- Original Practices
      "Fantastic!"
      Review posted by: Contessa from Austin, TX, May 03, 2010
      

      This was an AWESOME performance. The setting, the costumes, the music, and the actors were outstanding! This is not a performance to miss! Regardless of your feelings about Taming of the Shrew, GO... Expand

      This was an AWESOME performance. The setting, the costumes, the music, and the actors were outstanding! This is not a performance to miss! Regardless of your feelings about Taming of the Shrew, GO SEE THIS PRODUCTION!!! You won't be sorry! Collapse

• Media
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  • Media Reviews

    There are currently no media reviews for this event.