User Reviews

It is a great pleasure to review something you liked twenty years ago to find that it is actually better than you remembered it. Such is the case with this production of "Taming of the Shrew"

This is not only by far the most lively and good-natured version of the play I have ever seen on stage or film, but it also seems to be directed in accord with the commedia dell'arte tradition that has surely been very much on Shakespeare's mind when he wrote the play. There is a multitude of 'in-your-face' gags (the audience is never lured into the deceptive ruses of naturalistic theater, but are constantly made aware of their own presence) and scores of Italian 'lazzi' - stunts of every kind. We have a remarkably acrobatic duo in Kate (Fredi Olster) and Petrucchio (marc Singer), and their first scene together - where every piece of Shakespearean lewdness is brought out to us with a vengeance - is rewarded by a full minute of accolades from the delighted, live audience before which the production was filmed in 1976.

Of all in the cast I only knew Marc Singer, and remembered him only from a sci-fi series ("V"?) and a Harold Robbins series (Park Avenue 79?), but this is truly his claim to fame.

If you never see another Shakespeare play in your life, be sure to catch this one. After 25 years of searching in vain, it was finally brought to me by the miraculous combination of the internet and my visa card. Brave new world, indeed!

Years ago when I first saw this production I was mesmerized. More than a quarter of a century later I can still say that it is the best rendition of "The Taming of the Shrew" that I have ever seen. Thoroughly enjoyable, it appears to follow the original Shakespeare in exactly how I imagine it was meant to be performed for Elizabethan audiences. The actors "played" to the crowd. The bawdy wit was obvious as I am sure it was designed to be. The characters interacted with one another as they would have appeared before an Elizabethan crowd but the dialogue was masterfully spoken in a manner completely understandable to a modern audience.

Marc Singer was wonderful. Truly the best performance of his career.

I happened to order online a DVD version of The Taming of the Shrew. When I received the packet the day before yesterday, I found out that it was not the film directed by Franco Zeffirelli that I originally wanted, but some stage production by whoever... I was disappointed that I had made such a silly mistake with ordering something else than I wanted. However, only after a minute or two of watching the performance, I was not entirely sure if it was really a mistake, and when Petruchio stepped on the scene, I suddenly realised that this was actually the luckiest choice of DVD I have ever made. Petruchio and Kate are both so lively and wilful. (I do not want to say that the other actors did not do their best - they are ALL wonderful, but Petruchio and Kate are my favourite characters.) When Kate is weary and sad, Fredi Olster has tears in her eyes... The whole cast are playing for the audience, not for the stage, and they do not miss a chance to communicate with the people. It must have been an exceptional and unforgettable experience to see this performance live. For me, it was exceptional even on the screen, and I am sure I will not forget it - I have already seen it twice...

I saw this twenty years ago, and it has stuck in my mind ever since. The Taming of the Shrew is very difficult to perform without sexism, but in this production it was very clear that -- even though Petruchio's original plan was just to find a wealthy wife -- he quickly came to love and respect Katharine, and that his motivation was to help her break out of an unpleasant persona she had created and gotten locked into. And in return, free of her old self, she respected and loved him, and so was happy to help him look good. I wish it were available on video: I'd really like to see it again.

This is one of my favorite Shakespeare stories and this is by far the best showing. It was all action, energy, fast and fun. No sets, just a stage and tons of talent. I kick myself when to think I could have made a VHS copy and didn't. I want this on DVD.

'The Taming of the Shrew' may not be one of my favourite plays of one of the greatest, most important and most influential playwrights who ever lived. It however has always been incredibly entertaining and charming and Katherina and Petruchio are fascinatingly written characters. It was dismissed as misogynistic at the time and still is controversial on that front, but the characterisation, entertainment value and Shakespeare's mastery of language (especially shining in the taming process) really shine.

Of the versions of 'The Taming of the Shrew' seen (more to see), all are worth seeing. Even the weakest, the Douglas Fairbanks/Mary Pickford film. While the Richard Burton/Elizabeth Taylor film is very good, the condensed animated adaptation as part of the animated Shakespeare Tales series is great and the BBC Television Shakespeare production excellent, this 1976 production gets my vote as the best production seen of 'The Taming of the Shrew'.

Visually, the production is simple but it never came over as looking simplistic or under-budgeted. Actually found it quite charming in its simplicity and liked that it didn't go for the big lavish approach with potential traps of overblown excess, letting the language, the atmosphere and the performances speak. It's very nicely photographed too. Lee Holby's music never intrudes and adds a good deal to the atmosphere.

Shakespeare's language shines brightly, the comedy sparkles in wit, the tensions are biting and the more dramatic moments have a lot of heart. All evident in the staging as well, which felt much more than watching a filmed production but also it felt like an experience. Loved the commedia dell'arte approach, which is played to the hilt without being excessive or too broad and similar to how Shakespeare would have been performed in his day (except now women are able to play the female roles). It honestly felt like the feeling one gets when watching a production at the Globe, which is always rich in authenticity and like being transported back in time.

Not every production of 'The Taming of the Shrew' gets the meaning of the play, or at least not completely nailing it, and not every production makes Petruchio's approach clear. The BBC Television Shakespeare production did, so did this production even amidst all the commedia dell'arte that in lesser hands would have distracted or swamped. The heart of the play translates very well here, not bland at all. The character interaction, especially the crucial one between Kate and Petruchio, is richly detailed and what it should be. It is easy to make their relationship too combative, but one feels the love and a real growth in Kate's character (the shrewishness and taming equally convincing).

Performances are excellent. Marc Singer has the right amount of wit for Petruchio and the right approach to it (acidic), while also giving him humanity and not outright hateful. Fredi Olster is a suitably initially shrewd and disdainful Kate while being genuinely touching when she becomes more compassionate and vulnerable. The chemistry between the two of them crackles in wit, intensity and pathos, the combat has tension but there is definitely a soulmates in love feel here. The rest of the cast are fine too.

In summary, outstanding. 10/10.

I saw this program when I was a ten and it knocked my socks off. It was my first intro to Shakespeare and Mark Singer. I was awestruck and couldn't take my eyes of the television screen. This particular production and the rest of the company changed my life. Mark Singer's Petruchio was so full of life and unbridled energy that I think I might have fallen in preteen love with him not to mention the story of the Taming of the Shrew. I've sought out Shakespeare productions ever since (and Mark Singer). The dancing and delivery of the lines were so crisp. I so wish that I could see this particular production again. I still talk about it and wish my kids could view it with me and experience the excitement like I had when I first saw it oh so many years ago.

It was this performance that sparked my interest in Shakespeare. I don't quite know any higher compliment I can give it. I was 11 or 12 at the time, and Shakespeare was foreign to me despite being the same basic language, yet here it was, so live and real.

I haven't given it 10 of 10 merely because of its slight shortcomings within the medium. This show was for a live audience, and was filmed for television, not made for television. It's simplicity is charming, though.

It works. Watch this show and see what Shakespeare should be. I only wish I could have been there live to see it!

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Now that I've read the other reviews, I find it fascinating that everyone has the same comment that they remember it from 20+ years ago!

The San Fransisco American Conservatory Theater gives an outstanding performance in a highly acclaimed production of Taming Of The Shrew. Just watching the actors facial expressions will leave you in hysterics. Marc Singer and Freddi Olster have a beautiful chemistry as Petruchio and the impossible Kate. This is one of the best productions of any kind I've ever seen. Anyone wanting to purchase this film can get it through Amazon.com or the Broadway Theater Archive!!!

I have to concur with the others who have commented on this show. If I could storm WNET and steal a copy of this I would. I originally saw this in 1983, and have loved it ever since. It is a production that has had a profound effect on me throughout my life. I do truly hope that we can somehow see this released on DVD. I have been told though that no video contracts were ever negotiated. As such before any release, all the participants would have to be contacted and contracted with.

My previous enthusiasm for this production has been rewarded and the Broadway Theater Archive has released this on VHS. > If you've seen the Miller/Cleese production (wonderfully reviewed in the imdb) this production will restore your faith in Shakespeare. Well worth the expense to view and savor.

I saw this San Francisco Repertory Theater production in black-and-white when it first aired in 1976; I haven't seen it since, but I still remember it. I've searched for it over the years, and contacted PBS and WNET to see if it can be run again, or if the videotape can be purchased. >

This was the first time I'd seen Marc Singer. I fell in lust that day and have stayed there ever since. His was, without doubt, the best performance of Petruchio I've ever seen. His language was beautiful music, his delivery perfect and understandable and his body was to die for! I'm sure the other actors did a good job too, but the other performances paled beside his outstanding portrayal and I just don't remember anyone else! Who needs elaborate sets and costumes when the actors can make you see it all with just their performances? I was so impressed I have watched him in anything else he's done (even the not so great stuff). He is wonderful in "If You Could See What I Hear" and "Something For Joey". Any ideas where I can obtain a copy of this Great Performances airing of my very own? (Never mind, I've just bought a DVD copy on Amazon.)

I saw this originally in my Shakespearean Comedy course. I've always enjoyed Shakespeare for the language, but frankly, a lot of the dialogue loses a lot over the years.

This brought it back, made me see and feel what Shakespeare's target audience did.

*This* is how it looked at the Globe. Forget the modern productions with the elaborate costumes and big-name stars.

Minimal sets, broad...almost vaudevillian...acting, knowing winks at the audience, letting the *acting* and the words carry the entire enterprise.

If you can find a copy of this gem, you'll understand why Shakespeare is known as THE Bard.

This was a terrific, fun performance of Taming of the Shrew that ran on Great Performances on PBS. It's still owned by WNET in New York, but they won't release it on video so that I can buy it. This was a high energy production in which dance played an important role along with the words. It's an awful shame that WNET won't release it.

It is amazing how perfectly this production works. I love how it is presented in the form of commedia dell'arte. Each role fits as one of the commedia stock characters and the director makes great use of the lazzi of the comic business. It is very cleverly done. The acting is great as well. I think Petruchio and Kate made it seem natural that they fell in love, when it seems kind of sudden when you just read the play. Kate handled the hand beneath the foot scene very well (the words in that scene usually make me cringe!)It is a nearly flawless production that is a great way to show just how much fun Shakespeare really can be!

I saw this production in a theatre class back in the late 70's and have never forgotten it -- this was the first time I'd seen a production of "Taming of the Shrew" that didn't offend my feminist sensibilities! It was fast paced (as Shakespeare's comedies should be), physical and fun, well directed and acted.

This ACT version of "Taming of the Shrew" is very different from most of the overproduced movies made from Shakespeare plays--in this stage production, there are no huge set pieces or elaborate props. It's reduced to actors having fun with rich, descriptive language.

The trouble with a number of movies made from Shakespeare plays--say, Kenneth Branagh's schizoid, interminable "Hamlet" or Baz Luhrman's MTV-ized version of "Romeo and Juliet"--is that, being movies, they try to make the material more visual. They show, rather than tell, what is going on. As a result, Shakespeare's powerful descriptive passages are reduced, cut, or worse, blazed through as quickly as possible and shoved aside to make room for more eye candy.

There's no such difficulty here. This "Shrew" is almost performed on a bare stage, in commedia dell'arte style, with minimal accoutrements and some sound effects for laughs. Everything depends on Shakespeare's rich, inventive language, and the production is the better for it.

As in the title, I've only seen one 10-minute segment, the part where Petruchio and Katharina meet each other and enter into a furious round of wordplay, but by Jove was that segment fantastic! The acting was great, pulled off so well that every moment in this commedia dell'arte production was hilarious. The wordplay was made obvious, and I am still in awe of how Petruchio can be tossing Katharine in his arms or whirling her over his head and still recite his iambic pentameter. Petruchio, played by Mark Singer, is a cocky man, but you see that he also has a more caring side to him underneath the wild antics that Mark Singer gives. Katharina is definitely easily angered, but she has a feistiness, will, and has plenty of wit. The actress chose to make Katharina's shrieking, shrewish side IMO more toned down, and it makes the character more likable. Indeed, I find myself liking her railing, her shouting and most of all her wit. The wordplay is to die for: quick, lively, and sharp as a razor. Petruchio and Katharina are the highlights, but the other people in the cast (from what I saw) also do a great job in making their characters fit into the commedia dell'arte style and making the audience laugh.

Yes, this is slapstick, but slapstick done well and I'll find it difficult for someone to not like this production. Unless you have an aversion to all types of slapstick, well pulled-off or not, you'll love it. This is the most highly rated out of all the Taming of the Shrew productions from what I've seen on IMDb and Amazon, and I agree that this relatively unknown production really merits praise, even if I've only seen a small part of it.