This summer you can enjoy Titchfield Festival Theatre’s brilliant new version set in pre-revolutionary Cuba, as a mother seeks to marry off her sons to some headstrong and independent women. Think rumba dancing, cigars, casinos and a hedonistic lifestyle… this production has a witty script full of comedy, whilst portraying issues relevant to today’s society. Two head-strong people battle to become the “one on top”, but who wins in the end?

Kevin Fraser, Artistic Director is director of The Taming of the Shrew. This is the fourth time the play has been performed at the Great Barn, and Kevin said,

“The Taming of the Shrew is a fantastic play which will appeal to modern audiences. We have adapted this version slightly, reversing the genders and changing some names and places. For example, the principal female character is now male, and the main male parts are female. Therefore, Catherine becomes Nate – short for Nathanial – to rhyme with Kate.  However, very little of the language has been altered. The audience will love the fabulous, classic Shakespearean speeches, enjoy the Bard’s superb poetic writing, as well as the colourful imagery. 

“We also decided to change the location of the play from Italy to pre-revolutionary Cuba, set in the 1950s. In many ways, Cuban society at that time was similar to Italy; There were still big families running the casinos, it was very louche and full of colour, with a deep rooted matriarchal culture. This period allows us to introduce various Latin influences into our version of the play, with some great rumba music and dancing girls, helping to really bring the show to life. The 1950s costumes are great, and it will have a real feel of Havana. It is going to be a truly exciting production.”

Titchfield Festival Theatre’s production of The Taming of the Shrew opens at the Great Barn, Titchfield on Sunday July 25^th running until Thursday August 5^th, 2021. Evening shows start at 7.30pm. The matinée production is on Sunday July 25^th, 2021, at 2.30pm.

If you like The Taming of the Shrew, you may also be interested in Titchfield Festival Theatre’s production of Kiss Me Kate, a musical based on Shakespeare’s play. Kiss Me Kate is performed at St Margaret’s Lane Titchfield on 8^th – 18^th September 2021.

For more information including booking tickets, please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/  or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366. The Taming of the Shrew will be also streamed live on Wednesday 4^th & Thursday 5^th August 2021.