April 2, 2003
By Mandisi Majavu
It is arguably one of Shakespeare's most provocative plays. It has misogynistic overtones and raises questions of a woman's place in relation to her husband - a theme that is very prevalent and relevant to today's society. From 3 to 17 April, the Wits University School of Arts, in collaboration with First National Bank, will present William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew at the Wits Theatre in Braamfontein.
This modernised version is directed by Malcolm Purkey and stars a group of young actors from the university. Purkey sets the performance of the play in contemporary South Africa where an inter-cultural love relationship addresses more than gender problems, but questions of power as well. Wits Theatre's Cathy Pisanti says the casting emphasises the racial and societal complexities of our recent history.
Students Dominique de Klerk and Sara Hallat designed the set, which reflects the many facets of South Africa, she says. They have drawn on the conflicting aesthetics of Cape Town and Johannesburg, as well as rural Lesotho, to create a fictional world for the characters to play in.
A play this controversial, says Pisanti, can only be performed to an open-minded audience. And the director leaves this important debate in their hands.
The ticket price is R24. For any enquiries, you can phone Cathy Pisanti at (011) 717 1376 or you can contact Computicket at (011) 340 8100.
